FAITH, WORKS, & SALVATION

Faith

I cannot prove who Jesus was except through the Bible, and faith. I cannot prove the Bible is more than a somewhat accurate chronicle except through faith. Faith is a gift. A gift from God. But, even without faith the messages delivered through the Bible and Jesus are still valid.

Is Faith without works all that is required for your salvation? Most of the writings in the New Testament include the words: “- of the law -” when talking of the relationship between faith and works and salvation.

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.

The works of a person reflect that person’s faith or lack of faith. Each person has to decide what their faith is. This may be a lifetime endeavor for many of us. We might never in our lifetimes decide what that faith is and means. But we have to do our best to live by whatever we have. We have to follow our conscience in all we do. That is what God gives us with our faith. Our conscience is what God gives us to follow in the active life of our faith.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The actions reflect the faith, and the love. All the virtues are tied so closely together that they cannot really be separated.

Footnotes:
1.    Galatians 2:16
2.    Titus 1:16
3.    James 2:14
4.    John 15:13

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