Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."How would you explain the connect between works, faith and salvation in your own words? Leave a comment or email your thoughts to paul@rlbc.ca
James 2:20-24 - "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."
Matthew 7:24-27 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Friday, April 21, 2006
Faith and Works...and Salvation
What is the relationship between these two when it comes to our salvation. How do we reconcile the following verses, which appear to contract one another?
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We must accept the gift of salvation from God by having faith in God. By the types of deeds that we do is a verification of our faith. In James 2:19 it says that even demons believe in God but they do not obey him and because of this they do not receive the gift of salvation.
It was Francis of Asyssi who said that Brandon. Actions speak louder than words. Though words are often necessary to clarify the meaning of our actions, and for a clear presentation of the gospel.
Both faith and works are absolutely necessary for salvation. Faith cannot live without works, and works alone is only being legalistic. We pray to God with our spirits, and we complete good works with our physical bodies. It only makes sense that both parts of our humanity - our bodies and spirits - are involved in our salvation, for God is saving both our bodies and our spirits. Our bodies will die, but they will be raised up again to new life.
I wish I had more time.. but basically... I would say it's like a formula:
Faith = Salvation + works (works come as a by-product of your salvation.. you aren't saved by works!)
Christ saved us when we were yet sinners - we are actually saved by GRACE.
Yet, if we've truly surrendered our lives to Christ, than works will be evident in our lives (the "fruit"). The works are by-product of Christ being in charge. The bible talks about "fruit" or works as being the evidence of our salvation.
That's a great way of putting it Brooke!
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