“Works” in biblical terms refers to good deeds, or in some instances, the keeping of the law. Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1, is “the substance of things hoped for and the assurance of things not seen.”
The issue of faith versus works has long been debated among Christians, though it shouldn’t be, since the Scriptures are quite clear. Today’s blog post aims to explore both concepts and, perhaps, settle the debate once and for all.
Works alone
I do good deeds, and I think that’s all that matters is the wrongest statement ever made. What saves us is grace through faith in the Lord Jesus (Eph. 2:8). Works cannot replace that because the scripture is clear that works do not save anyone (Eph. 2:9, Tit 3:5). Whether it be your works in terms of good deeds or in terms of keeping the law, neither has any power to secure your salvation.
If works alone were enough to save us, then there would have been no need for Jesus to come to earth. But because we were unable to truly do good works to the glory of God and be consistent at it, Jesus came and offered us salvation through faith in Him. (Rom. 8:3-4, Isa. 64:6)
Faith alone
Faith is the currency through which we can access salvation in Jesus, and the scripture emphasizes that this is the only way to salvation (Eph. 2:8). Every other doctrine that says you need to do something to augment faith before receiving salvation is false. Such a doctrine insinuates that the sacrifice of Jesus was incomplete. Jesus Himself has already completed the work required for our salvation. What is now required of us is faith in His finished work. (Jn. 19:30, Heb. 4:10)
Faith vs Works?
Before we assume that Team Faith has won this round, let’s compare scriptures a little. While it is assumed that Paul, in Ephesians 2:8, declares faith the winner, James has something to tell us, too. James 2:26 says faith without works is dead. He likens works to the spirit and faith to the body. Of what use is faith when there are no works?
What makes a Christian is both faith and works. It is not enough to say you have only faith. Faith without good works is useless (Jas 2:20). Wherever there is faith and works are lacking, it is not the question of salvation that should come up, but rather a question of the authenticity of that faith, because genuine faith is followed up by works; without works, it is false or nonexistent.
While people may use verses like Ephesians 2:8 to de-emphasize the place of works, that same portion of scripture conveniently emphasizes it. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we were created for good works. Your salvation is unto good works. Philippians 2:12 tells us to work out our salvation. There is work that accompanies true faith.
Faith brings us into salvation, but works prove this salvation. We demonstrate that we belong to Jesus by the works we do (Jas 2:16). Jesus told the disciples that the way people would know they belonged to Him was by their show of love—an act (Jn. 13:35). Faith is not in profession alone, but also in action.
Don’t bother telling me that you got born again; prove it with your good works. Jesus talked about good works in the first sermon He preached. He described believers as light and then said we should let that shine so that our good works may be revealed (Matt. 5:16). That is, it is not optional for a believer to have good works; it is implicational. I am a believer, so I have good works.
So, you see, it is not faith versus works, it’s faith and works. The two must go together. Independent of one another, they become useless. The order is faith, which brings salvation, and then good works stemming from that salvation. What defines us as Christians is doing good works that come about from our faith in Jesus.
Faith+blog 