If we are saved by faith alone, why are there so many references to the word "Work".?

Question

Faith without works is dead. ---James. Let's hear what you think about the spiritual value of "Work".

Wow, I am so blessed by the answers here, thank you, my awesome brothers and sisters!

Answer 1

The difference is the difference between justification and sanctification. Although they overlap in many ways in justification or the making of one righteous before God only the work of Christ will do and we receive this standing in Christ by faith alone. However although we are justified by faith alone faith is itself never alone. God saved us to do good works. The same Spirit who unites us to Christ by faith also renews us. We are a new creation with a new mind and heart desiring to please the one who so loved us. Works is the natural outworking of the faith that justifies. That is why James says you show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works. He was countering those who although they rightly understood they are justified by faith alone thought they could just live in sin because works don't matter. Works are a testimony of a true faith that saves. Works also Glorify God and also can be used to save a neighbor

Answer 2

As one of the Christian Faith it is not the "works" that saved me. It was by Grace through faith. Because I accepted God's Call in the only way he offers.

Works do not save anyone. The works of the Christian come after Salvation. And are the evidence of that Salvation... my answer, to you, is one humble work by me as evidence of my Salvation. I can offer only my testimony and my poor works as evidence of my faith... That is what I am commanded to do.

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Answer 3

The Lord Jesus Christ did it all on the cross for your salvation. He died for your sins, He was buried and took your sins away and He rose again the third day for your justification. If you add to what He did for you then He died in vain. You are saved by believing and trusting in what He did not on what you think you have to do. It is a gift of God. A gift can't be earned. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. After you have put your faith in what He did for you then you are to do good work not before but after. Ephesians 2: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Answer 4

Works are empty with out Grace. The good things we do aren't done for the right reasons before we have God in our lives to put into out lives. Work can't save you because works are of our own doing. We are imperfect so we can't save ourselves. After salvation we as Christians should want to do the work of God to bring others to His Grace. Thanx for the great question.

Answer 5

Works in this verse means actions. So your actions prove or disprove your faith. You can tell me you believe in God, but if God tells you to be baptized, and you don't, where are your works? If you believe God can heal your sickness and the preacher says, come to the front of the church and you can be healed. If you stay in the back of the church, your works aren't proving your faith. Faith is always followed by the actions that prove said faith.

Answer 6

This verse means that if you have faith in Jesus and God, then you will share your faith. Sharing of the faith is called works. You will also act more like Christ if you infact are a Christian. This is what the works means in this verse.

Answer 7

The works being said in the Epistles and this one in James is addressed to those who are "ALREADY" Christians. They are for people who have already accepted Jesus Christ alone as their savior!

It is like a sports team. The instruction of the coach is for the team members alone!

Answer 8

You ARE saved by faith, but if your faith is never tested by your works, it will not grow.

It's sort of like the song that says "You can't walk on water unless you jump off the boat"

Answer 9

obviously our works can't save us, otherwise Jesus came in vain. we are saved by grace thru faith in Jesus. the works come in later, out of love for God (the NT is fulfilled in love). but we will still stumble and can be forgiven.
if someone wants to live Under the law, they have 600 laws to keep in the OT. if you break one law your guilty of all, and the wages of sin is death so i hope you dont stumble there anywhere if you try the old covenant. but it cant be done :)

Answer 10

ok.

if we as people are using works to please God we are on the wrong path.

we need to be the best CHRISTIAN we can be. we need to show the world that he loves us, and we love him.

however if we are not true CHRISTIANS, there is NOTHING we can do to earn our way into eternity.

most people feel that there is something we have to do, such as say a prayer or accept that Christ is who he says he is . . . or something like that. truth is we are chosen by God.

Romans 8:29-30: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predetinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moteover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Spiritual value of 'works' is just showing the world that you love Jesus Christ (Yeshua). It's when we try to work our way into eternal life that it is all in vain.