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The message of evangelicalism and most Protestant denominations is that faith plus any kind of work denies God’s grace and God’s power to save sinners. Consequently, they say sinners are saved by faith only (commonly expressed as salvation “by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone”).

We are indeed saved “by grace...through faith” (Eph. 2:8). Salvation is the gift of God and not of ourselves (Eph. 2:9). We cannot earn salvation. God saves us, not by “works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). To be counted righteous by “works” one would have to live a life without sin (study Rom. 4:1-4). Once a person sins he can never “work” (earn) his salvation; that possibility no longer exists because he is a sinner! Now, he needs grace. We all do, since we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23).

God’s part in our salvation is His grace; without it we would be forever lost. Man’s part in being saved is faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The issue is not whether we are saved by faith. The issue is what kind of faith saves? The wrong kind of faith will not save us (cf. Jas. 2:19). Are we saved by a faith that stands alone? No, because “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:17, 26). Here, “works” means obedient faith. Are we saved by a faith that works (obeys) the will of God? Yes (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9). The Scriptures teach we are not saved by “faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Such a doctrine is not “wholesome” and “very full of comfort” (The Methodist Book of Discipline, 57).

Those who advocate salvation by faith only do so, at least in part, because they fail to define “works” as it is used in its Biblical context. The Protestant Reformation seared into the minds of its adherents that “works” are always a denial of the grace of God. Creeds and confessions of faith were adopted that solidified and codified this doctrine. “Works” are thus viewed as always hostile to God and against salvation by faith. Our adversary the devil has done his work well (pun intended). Minds have been poisoned against “works” as if it can only and always mean an attempt to “earn” salvation. Thus defined, works are naturally rejected as having a place in man’s salvation. We agree there are no works that earn salvation. We disagree that the word “works” is always objectionable when used in the Scriptures concerning salvation.

The truth is that faith comes to life through the activity (the “work”) of obedience. Look at what has power in Christ: “faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6). Since working faith has power, we must at least admit there is a type of “work” that God approves and accepts; the work of faith. Otherwise, we do not believe Galatians 5:6.

A working faith does not earn the right to be saved. But, it does show trust in God’s word and His power to save. James used Abraham to teach us what kind of faith pleases God.

Was not Abraham our faith justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only (Jas. 2:21-24).

The kind of faith that is accounted for righteousness is obedient to the commands of God. That is the kind of faith Abraham had. That is the kind of faith that is accounted for righteousness. That is the kind of faith we must have. The faith that saves is the faith that obeys.

A question that begs to be asked is, “Do you want to know what kind of faith saves? Do you want to know that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys God? Do you want to lift the fog of Protestant theology that distorted the nature of saving faith as it battled the perversions of Roman Catholicism? The Roman Catholic Church was (is) wrong to propose men may earn their way into God’s presence. The Protestants were (are) just as wrong to propose salvation by faith only.

The inspired word of God asks, “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas. 2:20) If you want to know this simple truth, you can. Faith without works (of faith, obedience) is dead. James also said faith that does not have works is not profitable (Jas. 2:14); it cannot be seen (Jas. 2:18); it is the faith of demons (Jas. 2:19); and it is barren (Jas. 2:20). Why would anyone want that kind of faith? Yet, when people are told to only believe and the Lord will save you that is exactly the kind of faith being offered. Do you want to know that the faith of demons will not save you?

The kind of faith you need in order to be saved is faith like Abraham had; faith that trusts God and obeys His word. Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). Do you have the faith to believe and obey Jesus? Do you have the faith that will be counted to you for righteousness? If so, believe and obey the word of Jesus.

Obeying Jesus does not earn your right to be saved. Obedience is the humble submission of an unprofitable servant who is doing his duty (Lk. 17:10). Jesus saves all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9). Do you believe His word enough to obey and be saved? Do you have faith that saves your soul (Heb. 10:39)? 

Mothers without Marriage
Joe R. Price