The question of whether salvation is by faith alone or by faith plus works has been debated for centuries. The Bible provides insight into this important theological issue and what is required for salvation.
Faith Alone
The doctrine of salvation by faith alone, also called sola fide, asserts that we are saved solely by our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, not by anything we do. This view emphasizes God’s grace and the completed work of Christ on the cross as sufficient for salvation.
Several key biblical passages support faith alone:
– “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This clearly states we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.
– “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Being justified, or declared righteous, is by faith alone.
– “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5). Righteousness is credited to those with faith, apart from works.
– “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Salvation comes from believing in your heart and confessing Jesus as Lord.
These and other verses emphasize salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ, not by anything we do to earn or merit salvation. Good works and obedience have their place, but not as a means of justification. Overall, the New Testament strongly affirms salvation is received by faith alone.
Faith Plus Works
On the other hand, some Bible verses can seem to suggest that faith plus works is necessary for salvation. For example:
– “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). This verse flatly states “not by faith alone,” which appears contradictory.
– “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). Faith without accompanying actions is presented as useless.
– “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). Obeying God’s commands is given as evidence we know Him.
– “And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile” (1 Peter 1:17). Our deeds or conduct are connected to how God will judge us.
– Jesus often spoke of the necessity of obedience, good fruit, and persevering to the end for salvation (Matthew 7:21-23, 13:1-23, 24:13).
These passages emphasize deeds, works, obedience, and perseverance as complementary to faith. So what do we make of this evidence? Does the Bible contradict itself on this crucial theological question?
Understanding Faith and Works
In examining this issue, it’s important to make several key distinctions:
1. The timing of justification and sanctification. Justification is God’s declaration of our righteousness by faith, while sanctification is the process of spiritual growth and good works that follows. Good works are the result of salvation, not the means.
2. Paul vs. James. Paul’s letters focus on justification and defending grace alone. In contrast, James wrote to warn against dead faith without works. Their perspectives differ but they align in ultimate meaning.
3. Works of the law vs. obedience of faith. Paul argued against “works of the law” whereby the Jews tried to earn righteousness. James and others refer to an “obedience of faith” where works naturally follow true faith.
4. Basis of salvation vs. evidence of salvation. Passages mentioning works refer to the visible fruits that provide evidence of salvation already received by grace. They don’t mean works provide the basis or grounds for justification.
Once these distinctions are understood, the Bible does not contradict itself. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, not earned by our works. But good works will naturally follow as evidence of genuine faith and the Spirit’s sanctifying work in our lives. Obedience, perseverance, and fruit are the natural results of salvation, not the root cause.
In summary, salvation is strictly by faith alone, and works function as the proof and outcome.
Scriptural Support for “Faith Plus Works”
While salvation is by grace through faith alone, Scripture gives considerable attention to the place of works and obedience for the believer’s life and God’s final judgment. Let’s survey some key passages:
Works as Evidence of Saving Faith
James 2 is a key chapter addressing the relationship of faith and works. While verse 24 states “not by faith alone,” the surrounding context shows this means works prove the genuineness of faith:
– “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (v.17). Works bring faith to life and show it is not mere words.
– “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (v.18). James challenges the idea of faith without accompanying works.
– “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (v.26). As a body without a spirit is clearly dead, so faith without works is useless, proving it is not living, saving faith.
– “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?” (v.21). Abraham’s obedience in offering Isaac demonstrated his faith was genuine.
So while James clearly asserts “not by faith alone,” his purpose is to emphasize the importance of works as the evidence and fruit of real faith.
Works as an Outworking of Saving Faith
In addition to proving faith, another purpose of good works is living out our new life in Christ:
– “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are saved to walk in good works God prepares for us.
– “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…causing growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:16). Our good works build up Christ’s body.
– “As you come to him… And let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). We walk and conduct ourselves according to the gospel.
– “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Obedience shows we truly know God.
So good works have value as the natural outworking and obedience that flows from real faith and the Spirit’s work in us. They affirm God’s lordship over the believer’s life.
Works as the Basis for Reward and Recompense
Many verses speak of God rewarding and recompensing believers according to their works:
– “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). Christ will judge based on conduct when he returns.
– “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). Judgment comes to the church first, based on obedience to the gospel.
– “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward” (2 John 1:8). A full reward comes from not wasting our labors and perseverance in doing good.
– “He will render to each one according to his works” (Romans 2:6). God will repay all people – saved or lost – according to deeds.
So while works do not save us or earn justification, they are intimately linked with the reward, honor, and responsibilities believers will receive when Christ judges their service and conduct for him. These judgments at the “judgment seat of Christ” for believers do not determine salvation, but only the rewards and responsibilities that follow (1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Works done in the power of the Spirit store up “treasure in heaven” and lead to eternal blessings in accord with those works.
Conclusion: Faith Alone, but Not Faith that is Alone
In summary, salvation is completely by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. No amount of good works or law keeping can earn justification or favor with God. As Paul emphasizes, we are saved by grace through faith apart from works.
However, while salvation is by faith alone, justifying faith is never alone. Authentic faith inevitably produces the fruit of good works, obedience to Christ, and the indwelling Spirit conforming us to live righteously. Our works are the evidence and outworking of faith. And at the final judgment, our works will determine our eternal blessings and rewards.
So while salvation is by faith alone, saving faith is always accompanied by works. In this way, we “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). The faithful disciple will always show the genuineness of their faith by pursuing obedience out of love, even though their works contribute nothing to actually securing their salvation. We must have both faith alone and the fruit of that genuine faith.