What is the biblical understanding of faith vs. works?

Answer

The debate between faith and works often arises in discussions about salvation. Many argue that a person’s salvation is based on a combination of faith and works. Biblical Christianity, however, teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from any works we may do. It is important to start by clearly defining faith and works:

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 provides a definition: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith gives us the certainty that our hopes are real, even when they are not yet visible. When we have faith, we are fully convinced that what we believe is true, reliable, and tangible. The object of biblical faith is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith has always been a distinguishing characteristic of God’s people.

What are works? Works are the actions or deeds of a person. Work is something done in expectation of a reward. We work in our jobs anticipating a paycheck. Even voluntary work has its own rewards—recognition from others, a sense of goodwill, and so on. In the context of salvation, works refer to the good deeds we perform, particularly acts of charity, religious observances, or adherence to the Old Testament law.

In the faith versus works debate, one side argues that we are saved by faith alone, while the other contends that we are saved by works (often in addition to faith). So, which perspective is correct? What is the biblical connection between faith and works?

• Works are necessary for salvation, but the Bible is clear that these works are those of Christ, not our own. Jesus fulfilled the law “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”, (Matthew 5:17). In fact, “the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

God was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. », (Galatians 3:24). Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross reconciled us to God «For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. », (Romans 5:10), and as He died, Jesus proclaimed that the work was finished «When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. », (John 19:30). Now we are invited to enter into God’s rest by faith: “Anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works” «For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. », (Hebrews 4:10).

• Our works do nothing to earn or maintain salvation. It was the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ that justifies sinners «being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: », (Romans 3:24). “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, . . . because by the works of the law no one will be justified” «knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. », (Galatians 2:16). We begin by faith, and we continue in faith: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, orBy believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3).

• Salvation is by grace, which precludes works. Grace is, by definition, unearned, and Scripture makes it clear that God’s grace in salvation destroys the argument for human effort: “If by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” «And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. », (Romans 11:6). “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

• God’s requirement for salvation is faith in His Son. One of the grand themes of the Bible is that we are justified, or declared righteous, by faith «And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. », (Genesis 15:6). Faith is the only means of making sinful human beings able to stand before a holy God. No amount of law-keeping or good works can accomplish it «not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; », (Titus 3:5). If our works could save us, then Christ died for nothing «I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.», (Galatians 2:21).

• Works are the result of faith. Those who possess genuine faith in Jesus Christ will be “eager to do what is good” «who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. », (Titus 2:14). John the Baptist urged for “fruit in keeping with repentance” «Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: », (Matthew 3:8). The book of James highlights the essence of genuine saving faith as that which leads to good works: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” and “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” «Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. », (James 2:17,26) «For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.», (James 2:17,26). Grace through faith saves, and that faith is demonstrated in works. If someone professes to have faith but shows no good works, their faith is “dead,” or non-existent.

The faith vs. works discussion, therefore, is essentially not a discussion at all. Both faith and works are essential components of the Christian life. Scripturally, faith is the reason for salvation, while works are the proof of it.