What do you think about saving faith in Jesus?
by Travis Moody
Part 1
In order to answer this question, we need to see what the Bible teaches on faith. I believe that the Bible is very clear
on the subject of faith. I also believe that it is one of the most commonly misunderstood subjects within the pages of
God's word. I do not believe that man is saved by faith only.
The Bible does not teach salvation by faith only. IN fact, the only time the words "faith only" appear in the Bible is
James 2:24, and it says: "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not faith only." Now don't get me wrong, I do
believe that man is saved by faith- just not by faith only.
There must be works. Notice what the book of God says in James 2:14: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" In verse 17, it says: "Thus also faith by itself, if it does
not have works, is dead."
So, here we see that faith without works is dead. Can a man be saved with dead faith? In James 2:19-20, it says " Ye
believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish
man, that faith without works is dead?" The Bible teaches over and over again that saving faith is faith that obeys
through works. So, yes, you can be saved by faith, but that faith MUST include works.
In Matthew 23:23 it says: "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and
cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ye ought to have done,
and not to leave the other undone." So, in regard to judgement, mercy, and faith, the Lord says these things are to be
done. So faith is something you do.
One cannot know a person has mercy unless that person performs an action that is merciful. You cannot just look
at a man and know he has mercy. He must do something that shows his mercy. Likewise, to know if a person has faith, it
must be demonstrated with actions or works.
Many people wan to go to Romans 4 in an attempt to prove the false doctrine of salvation by faith only. Let's take a
look at the fourth chapter of Romans and see what the Bible is really saying. The scripture that is commonly used to
teach faith only is verse 3. It says: "For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to
him for righteousness."
This scripture, if it is not studied out, seems to say that Abraham was saved by belief or faith only. However, let us
study this out and see what this passage is really telling us.
First, let's look at what is said in Genesis 22:12. "And he said, 'Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to
him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.'" So, even though
Abraham had faith, it was not until he offered up his son Isaac (showed his faith by his works) that it could then be said,
"...NOW I know that you fear God, since..."
Here we see that my point in Matthew 23:23 is supported and sustained in the sense that Abraham's faith had to be
demonstrated through works so that his faith could be seen. After that occurred, it could then be said, "Now, I know..."
This situation is also addressed in Hebrews 11:17, where it says: "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up
Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son..." So it was by faith that Abraham
"offered up Isaac."
Then, in James 2:21-24, it is said, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac 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 say, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'" And so, AFTER
Abraham was justified by the fact that his works were wrought together with his faith, thereby making his faith perfect,
the Bible says that it was then that the scripture was fulfilled. What scripture?
The scripture that was fulfilled was Genesis 15:6, which was cited in Romans 4:3. So, in Romans 4:3, when the bible
says that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, we see that it is only true because
Abraham had works working together with his faith!