Is Faith Enough?
by JWing
For new Christians and old Christians alike some of the most frightening passages within the pages of the Bible are the ones where we stand before God and he says he never knew us. We wonder if this could include us, especially when preachers hammer away at the fact that these people thought themselves saved. Worse yet, some spent an entire lifetime of devoted work for Jesus and yet in the end the Lord says they did not know Him and therefore were not saved in the first place. We wonder if our faith in Jesus work on Calvary is enough to avoid hearing that dreadful phrase: "I never knew you. Depart from me"
Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. |
Do even Demons have faith?
A common argument against the faith in Jesus only gospel is that even demons believe in God but are obviously not saved. Many a pastors, bash their congregations over the head with this. If the demons believe in God just like we do, what makes us any different than them. They are quick to point out that our faith with works is what sets us apart. But is that truly the case?
James 2:17-19 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
First of all, we notice immediately that the demons believe that "there is one God", as believing it as a fact. But there is no indication that they believe in God or more importantly in Jesus. It is one thing to know that there is only one God but quite another to believe in Jesus as your own personal Lord and Saviour. That saving faith in Jesus the demons can not possess because it would require submission to Jesus as Lord, which demons definitely do not. In fact they are openly rebelling against Jesus and resisting Him.
A common argument against the faith in Jesus only gospel is that even demons believe in God but are obviously not saved. Many a pastors, bash their congregations over the head with this. If the demons believe in God just like we do, what makes us any different than them. They are quick to point out that our faith with works is what sets us apart. But is that truly the case?
James 2:17-19 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
First of all, we notice immediately that the demons believe that "there is one God", as believing it as a fact. But there is no indication that they believe in God or more importantly in Jesus. It is one thing to know that there is only one God but quite another to believe in Jesus as your own personal Lord and Saviour. That saving faith in Jesus the demons can not possess because it would require submission to Jesus as Lord, which demons definitely do not. In fact they are openly rebelling against Jesus and resisting Him.
Does faith require works for salvation?
On this point the Bible is abundantly clear that no amount of works plays absolutely a part in any person's salvation because it is a gift. If salvation is worked for, even in the slightest degree, it would be partially merit based. It would be the equavalent of earning pay (salvation) for our good works.
On this point the Bible is abundantly clear that no amount of works plays absolutely a part in any person's salvation because it is a gift. If salvation is worked for, even in the slightest degree, it would be partially merit based. It would be the equavalent of earning pay (salvation) for our good works.
Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; |
When we do something good, we're often proud of what we've done. But this passage states even our best, most noble works are like "dirty rags" when compared to the perfection (in Deed, Thought, Motive, and Intent) needed to earning us a place in heaven. They're useless and good for nothing. They're certainly not enough to bring us into a right relationship with God--for that, we need Christ Jesus.
You can not earn your salvation even with obedience to the law.
You can not earn your salvation even with obedience to the law.
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
16 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. Romans 3:28 (KJV) 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Acts 13:39 (KJV) 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Romans 11:6 (KJV) 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. |
If works is useless to us, how are we any different the fallen angels?
We know that man was made only a little lower than the angels. This means in strength and capability we are weaker than all angels.
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The biggest difference is that Jesus came to save only humans. He did not come to save angels. But do the fallen angels know there is but "one God"? Yes, of course they do. They see God on a daily basis. But that fact alone, there being only "one God" can't save anyone. You must put your faith in Jesus that he died to pay for your sins. That is saving faith. This faith isn't what the fallen angels have. The fallen angels do not even believe in Jesus, much less submit to his Lordship or rule over all the world and creation.
1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 2:3-5 (KJV) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; |
Angels, for whatever reason, can not be be saved. The Bible is not clear about why this is the case. Perhaps it is because they've seen God face to face and still chose of their own free will to rebel against God. However one thing the Bible is clear on is that as long as you are human, according to God, you can be saved.
Then what is the point of having works?
So then why did James bring up the fact that "faith without works is dead"? Some of you might recall works and fruits being the same thing.
Matthew 7:16-17 (KJV)
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Fruits is something any tree will bring forth in time. But only a good, mature tree would bring forth good, sweet fruit. Likewise only a true believer would bring forth good works (fruit) naturally. This is the real message behind James 2:17-19.
So it's not faith in Jesus + fruits = salvation, it is faith in Jesus = salvation + fruits. Fruits come naturally as a result of being saved and God changing your very nature. However people would rather try to show the fruits on their own strength without having any faith in Jesus. This amounts to self righteousness, which can not save anyone. THAT is the reason they say 'Lord, Lord we've done all these fruits that should show we are saved' but Jesus says I never knew you because you never had faith in me to begin with to be saved.
Remember a bad tree can sometimes make acceptable fruit for a short periods of time but not consistently. So too can a bad person sometimes fake some good fruit. But it takes a good tree to produce good fruit all the time, whether it is conscious of it or not. Likewise a saved person will consistently produce good fruit, unconsciously even at times. Occasionally they might produce a bad apple or two but not consistently.
Conclusion of James by Christian Boy
In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). But, he is not contradicting the verses above that say salvation/justification is by faith alone.
So what is really needed to be saved?
The entire point of God's grace in giving salvation as a free gift is that it is completely unmerited and undeserved. If you deserve salvation because you are a good enough person or you do good works, then you don't need salvation. We cheapen God's awesome gift by trying to justify ourselves even remotely by saying we aren't as bad as the worst of the worst person on the face of the planet.
The point is we are all horrible sinners from the day of our conception and only deserve God's wrath. But instead of His wrath He gives us salvation and what is more He did all the work for us before we even knew we needed His help. He now holds that unmerited, free gift to all of us. All we need to do is open our arms and receive it by believing in Jesus alone.
So then why did James bring up the fact that "faith without works is dead"? Some of you might recall works and fruits being the same thing.
Matthew 7:16-17 (KJV)
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Fruits is something any tree will bring forth in time. But only a good, mature tree would bring forth good, sweet fruit. Likewise only a true believer would bring forth good works (fruit) naturally. This is the real message behind James 2:17-19.
So it's not faith in Jesus + fruits = salvation, it is faith in Jesus = salvation + fruits. Fruits come naturally as a result of being saved and God changing your very nature. However people would rather try to show the fruits on their own strength without having any faith in Jesus. This amounts to self righteousness, which can not save anyone. THAT is the reason they say 'Lord, Lord we've done all these fruits that should show we are saved' but Jesus says I never knew you because you never had faith in me to begin with to be saved.
Remember a bad tree can sometimes make acceptable fruit for a short periods of time but not consistently. So too can a bad person sometimes fake some good fruit. But it takes a good tree to produce good fruit all the time, whether it is conscious of it or not. Likewise a saved person will consistently produce good fruit, unconsciously even at times. Occasionally they might produce a bad apple or two but not consistently.
Conclusion of James by Christian Boy
In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). But, he is not contradicting the verses above that say salvation/justification is by faith alone.
So what is really needed to be saved?
The entire point of God's grace in giving salvation as a free gift is that it is completely unmerited and undeserved. If you deserve salvation because you are a good enough person or you do good works, then you don't need salvation. We cheapen God's awesome gift by trying to justify ourselves even remotely by saying we aren't as bad as the worst of the worst person on the face of the planet.
The point is we are all horrible sinners from the day of our conception and only deserve God's wrath. But instead of His wrath He gives us salvation and what is more He did all the work for us before we even knew we needed His help. He now holds that unmerited, free gift to all of us. All we need to do is open our arms and receive it by believing in Jesus alone.
Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 1 John 5:4-5 (KJV) 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? |
So in summary be saved by believing (faith) in Jesus only and you will be saved and produce good fruit. If you haven't already and would like to accept this free gift of God, pray this prayer and accept Jesus into your heart and life. That and only that will save you.
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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