according to the bible, what justifies us is it faith or works? this is in reference to galatians and jude?

Answer 1

James 2:14 & 17 answers that for us:
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters,* if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?"

"So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead."

Did Jesus have faith and perform works? How about the apostles? They all had both. We, as Christians follow their example and combine fine works and a strong faith.
Telling others about God's Kingdom and the blessings it will bring to the earth and all mankind is a work that Jesus did and if we do that and remain faithful, even when undergoing trials or persecution, we prove our loyalty to God and his Son.

Answer 2

Many people believe that this is the question, and that the answer to this question is very important.

But I believe that this is actually the wrong question. The Bible is very clear that both faith and works are required. It teaches us that we are saved by grace and justified by faith. This leads some to believe that they must simply profess belief and they are "saved". But the bible also teaches us about the nature of faith. True faith is not merely a passive belief. As James teaches us, faith without works is dead. Therefore, true faith is a combination of belief and works, it is a lifestyle rather than simple lip-service. So yes, we are saved by grace, justified by faith, but true faith MUST include works or else it is dead.

Long answer to a short question... :-)

Answer 3

Galatians 2:16
"A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ."

BUT...

James 2:17
"Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James 2:21-25
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rabab the harlot also justified by works? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Go figure.

Answer 4

We are justified before God by faith alone (Romans 3:28 and Romans 4.) Our obedience to the Law is not what saves us; if it did, then our forgiveness wouldn't be by God's grace, it would be something we worked for and were owed (Romans 4:4, Galatians 2:16 and 3:11.)

However, if we have faith in God but show no "fruit" (works) in our lives that proves how greatful we are, our faith is dead (James 2:17).

I hope this helps. Peace.

Answer 5

Gal 3:24 - Justified by faith

Answer 6

The two act together.

"Faith without works is dead, being alone" (James 2).

Works without faith are useless and we do not earn salvation no matter how many works we have. (Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9).

The works we are to have are obediant actions where we submit to the authority of God (instead of trying to do things our own way). Jesus "is the author of eternal salvation unto all who obey him." (Heb 5:9) These are works of obediance, not "works of ourselves".

We must have active, alive faith to be saved! When we have this balance of faith (trust in God) and submission to his word (commandments) and authority, we can be justified by the Blood of Christ (Romans 5:8-10)!

Many point to Ephesians 2:8-9 and say this shows no obediant acts are required, but even verse 10 mentions the works we need to do.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that DOES the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)

There is not a question if we are saved by "faith alone" OR "works alone". We are not saved by anything alone!

Answer 7

Justified by faith alone, the cement of Love with our faith, produce works. Works are the fruit of our faith, the evidence of the Spirit of Christ within.

Answer 8

Faith.
I just read this this morning. It's in the book of Romans, Chapter 9. It says that the old Jewish law is filled with works, and they felt that by obeying the law, and once a year sacrificing their most treasured possession, an unblemished lamb, (livestock in those days were treasured -- lambs were their riches, like money is to us today).

But Romans says that no matter how hard we try, we cannot get to the Father by our works, because bottom line is, we are sinful -- which means we "missed the mark".

Jesus came to this world to be the last sacrifical lamb, showing the world that only by believing in Him, and accepting Him as the sacrifical lamb, our Savior, can we get in "right standing" with God.

We will still sin. Sin is an archery term, meaning "missing the mark". We can't get to the Father alone. Our sin, no matter how hard we try (our works), will never erase the impurity within us. The Apostle Paul even said that he still sins, no matter how hard he tries, and he was full of good works.

Only by our faith, by accepting the gift of salvation though our Lord, Jesus Christ, will we ever be in right standing with the Father.

Faith is another word for "trust".

Answer 9

Faith without works is dead. Works without faith is dead.

You must have both.

Answer 10

faith w/o works is dead