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“Faith vs. Works”
Categories: BAPTIST, CALVINISM, CATHOLIC, CHARISMATIC/PENTECOSTAL, COMMUNITY CHURCHES, DOCTRINE, RELIGIONS, THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHIs salvation by faith alone, or faith plus works, or just works?
Sincerely,
Faithfully Worked Up
Dear Faithfully Worked Up,
The Scriptures clearly say we are saved by faith (Heb 10:39), but they also clearly say that we are saved by hope (Rom 8:24), endurance (Matt 24:13), calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21), confessing Christ (Rom 10:9), the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-2), and baptism (1 Pet 3:21)... just to name a few. All of these conditions are requirements of salvation. We cannot cherry-pick what conditions we like or do not like.
Jas 2:14-21 explicitly states the importance of working for Christ. The work James is talking about isn't about earning salvation - but about loyal service to Christ. God expects us to bear fruit for Him (Jhn 15:8), work to grow (1 Pet 2:2), and keep His commandments (Jhn 15:14). Like a transmission and an engine in a car - faith and works function together and need each other.
