Faith vs Works (Part 2): For it is written, you are saved by grace through faith, not of works.

While every religion and cult on the planet teaches a works-based salvation (with assurance of salvation for none), Christianity is the only belief that is faith-based, trusting God at His Word when He says that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Praise God for His mercy, grace, and loving kindness.

Let us now turn to the Scriptures, for it is written:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . (Romans 5:1)

. . . a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But The Righteous Man Shall Live By Faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being made justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:23-24)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through Faith. (Romans 3:21-25)

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Romans 3:28)

. . . for “Whoever Will Call Upon The Name Of The Lord Will Be Saved.” (Romans 10:13).

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law or by hearing with faith? Even so, Abraham Believed God And It Was Reckoned To Him As Righteousness. (Galatians 3:5-6)

The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham . . . (Galatians 3:8)

. . . not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith . . . (Philippians 3:9)

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if the law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. (Galatians 3:21)

But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound . . . (Romans 7:6)

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for “The Righteous Man Shall Live By Faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. – Jesus Christ (John 3:16)

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

Faith vs Works (Part 4): The purpose of good works in the life of the believer.

As we saw in part three of this five-part series, the Law cannot save anyone. If you rely on keeping the whole Law but stumble in one area, you are guilty of it all. And the “good works” that we offer God thinking that it appeases Him (like pagans who offer fruits to an idol) are called “filthy garments.” So now we come to the question “what role does the Law and good works play in the life of the Believer?” Does this mean that we have completely done away with the Law, that our faith in Christ gives us license to sin? Certainly not!

. . . because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (Titus 3:8)

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. – Jesus Christ (John 14:15)

Why do you call Me. “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? – Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46)

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth . . . (1 John 1:6)

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. ( 1 John 3:18)

But prove yourself doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22)

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:17)

But someone may well say, You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the alter? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham Believed God, And It Was Reckoned To Him As Righteousness,” and he was a friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:18-24)

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! (Romans 6:14-15)

. . . If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. – Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32)

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me . . . – Jesus Christ (John 14:21)

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him . . . (1 John 2:3-4)

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. – Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:19)

James made sure that those who claim to have a faith in Christ will also have fruits of that faith evidenced by their lifestyles and deeds (the letter of 1 John also makes this point rather soundly and I strongly encourage you to read it). The Christianity so many people practice today in Churches all across America can be summed up in this couplet of circular reasoning: I go to church because I’m a Christian. I’m a Christian because I go to church.

Works will be the clear evidence of our faith. Where there is no works that faith is a dead faith. Many today consider church attendance their proof of faith. Their lives remain unchanged, their hearts remain dark, and their sin remains unrepented of, but they hold onto a hope that sometime long ago they said a prayer. Jesus will tell those who claim to be His, but lived their own way, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” As Paul Washer says, Jesus is essentially saying here, depart from Me all of you who claim to be My disciples but lived as though I never gave you a law to obey.

God’s grace is not to be trampled under your feet. The price He paid to redeem us was priceless. It was God’s own blood (Acts 20:28).

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

True Believers follow the Law and produce good works because of their obedience to the Savior whom they love. To proclaim in your erroneous understanding that “salvation is by grace through faith” which means that we can “live as thou wilt,” is not only wrong, but it will lead you to Hell.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

Faith vs Works (Part 5): Conclusion.

Those who still believe salvation comes by works and observance of the Law, I have a final question. Based on your belief that it’s the good works you add to your faith that makes you justified, what good works did the thief on the cross perform? What about the man who genuinely puts trust in Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior (faith) for the first time in his life, only to be struck and killed by a bus before he has the opportunity to be baptized, take communion, go to church, partake of the sacraments, perform any good deeds (or whatever else you require of a man for salvation)? Where does that man stand before the very God that he just put his trust in?

If you say that there are exceptions to the rule, then that would mean that God is not just and He’d be a respecter of man—giving one man exceptions to rules, laws, and ordinances that He’d hold another man to.

In the Scriptures a question is posed to Paul and Silas in relation to what a man must do to gain eternal life. The jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What do you think Paul and Silas said? Observe the law? Do good? Get baptized? Partake of the sacraments? No! They answered him with the simplicity that is found in salvation, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)

God offers you salvation as a free gift (Ephesians2:8-9). How do you earn a gift? If you could earn a gift, then it would make that gift a wage, and thus, it would no longer be a gift; negating the very essence and definition of what a gift is. Those who continue to hold to the belief that we are saved by works, and continue in vain to add to a sacrifice that they can never add to, you must understand that you are putting faith in your own works which can never save you. You have severed yourself from Christ and have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). Please let these words echo in your ears now–leading to repentance–rather than ringing in your ears in Hell when it’s too late.

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

My family and I attended the state fair last night and stumbled upon a Roman Catholic booth manned by four nuns. This was an unlikely place to find such a display, but their booth was set up with numerous other vendors selling everything from cookware to sunglasses for dogs. This Catholic booth fit in perfectly with the other booths that were hawking anything and everything for a buck. The Nuns were overseeing a smorgasbord of idolatry. Here you could buy your statues of every saint under the sun, rosaries of every kind and color, and trinkets galore. Most predominantly though, was the plethora of Mary paraphernalia. She was everywhere. In contrast I saw our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prominently displayed in only two capacities: As a helpless infant and as a dead man hanging on a cross.

I made myself available for approach by whichever nun the Spirit led. (I’m confident that meeting was ordained before the earth was even formed). Of the four nuns, the youngest, (possibly in her mid twenties), began the conversation with me over the “beauty” of a piece of artwork of none other than . . . you guessed it, the Virgin Mary. This is how the conversation began and for over the next hour I got to witness to her and share the gospel with her. I truly grieved for how they put so many “things” between us and Jesus, including Mary herself.

We discussed many things but here’s a synopsis of just some of the points this nun expressed about her Church:

* Her denomination (or sect) of Roman Catholicism doesn’t agree with the modern Catholic Church that began making compromises to their faith in the 1960’s. I could relate to that; the compromises in evangelical churches began long before the 1960’s.

* There is no assurance of salvation and one can only hope to be in Heaven one day if they’ve done good enough. This in spite of the fact that the Bible says whoever calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved (Romans 10:13), if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL be saved (Romans 10:9) that whoever has the Son has life, and that the Apostle John wrote to the brethren so that they may KNOW that they have eternal life (1 John 5:12-13).

* Mary remained a virgin her whole life. In spite of Matthew 1:25, Luke 2:7, Luke 8:19-21, among other verses, that contradict this teaching.

* Mary never sinned! That’s right. According to this nun, Mary was sinless. This in spite of the fact that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that Mary even brought the required sacrifice to the temple as an offering for sin (Luke 2:21-24 as per the Law in Leviticus 12:6-8).

* Mary is above the rest of mankind, but Jesus is above her. In spite of the fact that even Jesus said there’s none greater born among women than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). You’d think their emphasis would be on John the Baptist, not Mary.

* Mary is our mediator between man and Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ is our mediator between Mary and God the Father. This in spite of the clear teaching in 1 Timothy 2:5 that says there is only ONE mediator between GOD and MAN and that is the man Christ Jesus.

* Jesus Christ comes down from Heaven during every Mass in every Catholic Church to be sacrificed again, and again, and again. This in spite of Hebrews 10:12 that says He offered ONE sacrifice for sins for ALL TIME and then sat down at the right hand of the Father.

I was grieved to see how Mary was elevated as she was. And regardless of how much the nun said Mary was not above Jesus in her life, and that she didn’t worship Mary, her actions spoke louder than her words. I even pointed out how whenever she spoke of the Savior she would refer to Him as “Jesus,” or “Jesus Christ,” however, when she spoke of Mary she uttered the mantra “the Blessed Virgin.” The very words that flowed from her tongue betrayed her, for out of the abundance of her heart her mouth spoke. She had more reverence for Mary than for Jesus Christ, evidenced by her own words.

Of all the topics we touched on during our conversation, there was only one that stopped her in her tracks. Only one topic that penetrated the veil of deception that so heavily cloaked here eyes. Ephesians 2:8-9. The very idea that salvation is a free GIFT from God through our FAITH alone by His GRACE alone seemed to visibly minister to her heart.

Finally, at the end of our conversation, she asked me if there would ever be a circumstance in which I’d pray to the “Blessed Virgin Mother.” I assured her that there would be no circumstance that I would. She then asked me to pray to God, seeking His answer on whether or not I should pray to Mary (a petition familiar to those who’ve studied Mormonism because this is the same thing they tell you to do about the Book of Mormon). I kindly told the nun I don’t need to pray to God about whether or not it’s permissible to pray to Mary any more than I need to pray to God to see if it’s permissible or not to commit adultery. She responded with the fact that I don’t have to pray about adultery because adultery is already declared to be wrong in the Bible. Exactly! And thus I would never need to ask God if it was okay to pray to the dead because he’s already declared it detestable. Praying to the dead is called necromancy and is already forbidden by God in Leviticus 18:10-14.

She gave me a card with the Rosary prayer on it which afforded me the opportunity to give her a tract entitled The Execution. We shook hands and said we’d pray for one another. I hope to run into her again one day and get the opportunity to water those seeds. Or perhaps someone reading this will run into her in the future and have the opportunity to water those seeds. Please join with me in praying for her salvation.