How can one truly be saved without works?

Question

It isn't intellectually demanding to understand the Gospel. It seems that many subscribe to the belief but not all take it to the heart. When watching the to Catch a Predator show it is obvious that some of the predators know the gospel and claim the gospel but how can you committ terrible sins and still be okay and still be saved? I don't think you can. I don't think you can fully commit to Jesus and still commit crimes. Which is to me why works are really alot more important then the typical christian portrays. Faith without works is dead and salvation without faith is gone.

Mathew 5:20
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
James 2:14
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
John 15:2
2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prun

Answer 1

The thief on the cross was promised a place in the kingdom of God and he had no works. Of course, if he got down off the cross and lived there is no doubt that his life from there on out would have been a changed one. i.e. He would have works to show his faith.

That's the only place in the Bible where I know there was faith without works because as you said, "faith without works is dead".

It's so much more than "just believe" the works must follow or there is no faith. The devils believe also and they sure aren't going to be saved....

True Christianity is a life changing experience.

Answer 2

You are making it sound like only the righteous will get to heaven . Not true . God asked if there were any righteous people, and he answered it Himself by saying , "no not one". Your entrance into heaven is a result of your faith and belief in Jesus. Did the Pharisees have any? What Mathew is alluding to is the statement made by Christ, " many will come to the gate but few will enter". That is the works He is talking about. If you have faith but won't enter the gate, then what good is it? You see the bible teaches at many levels. One statement can teach several precepts depending on how much unction is there. God will only give as much deep understanding as your willing to accept. I will give you an example of something that is true and biblical but you won't accept it .Here it is . Cain's father was Satan. I expect to bit a big thumbs down from everybody with ears. That's if I get a rating at all.

Answer 3

You raise a good point. Faith without works is dead.

However, it is not our righteousness that saves us. We have no righteousness to offer God. "All our righteousness is as filthy rags," after all.

Rather, "our" righteousness that Christ speaks of in Matthew 5:20 is actually HIS righteousness, which He freely gives us. He became sin for us on the cross, and we are baptized into His body by His blood. We thus inherit His righteousness as a result of His sacrifice and our acceptance of it.

As believers, we begin a new life in Christ. Our old works and evil deeds gradually fall away and we become more like Him as our new lives continue.

So, you're right: as followers of Christ, it is completely "out of character" to sin (for example, murder). However, we are not perfect. We do sin from time to time. Yet as children of God, of the light, we do not let sin become the normal thing. When we were in the darkness, we didn't know any better. But when we came into the light, we learned to do good instead of evil. We now have the Holy Spirit to help us to make wise decisions.

And yet, the extent of salvation is so great that if we sin after we have been saved, we are still saved. But we want to be good children of God, not ones that will make Him ashamed.

Jesus Christ is my Savior. I could not save myself by any means... faith, even, would be inadequate if HE were incapable of saving me. Thank God that His sacrifice covers my sin.


If this answer has helped you, please give God the credit. If it hasn't, I apologize. I don't know much, but I answered what I could. Also check the source below for some answers to some other hard questions, if you like.

Thank you for asking this. It helped me as well.

God bless.

Answer 4

Works will NOT save you. Christians do good works because they are Christian not to become Christian. Doing good works is the result of true repentance. If works was necessary for salvation then explain how the thief on the cross with Jesus was saved at the hour of his death. What good works could he have done in those moments that added to his salvation? If I remember alls he did was repent and believe in Jesus, who he was. Jesus told him that on this day he will be with Him in paradise. Doing good works is like getting baptized after you are saved...it is an outward showing of an inward commitment. The difference between the motivation behind doing works of the saved and the non-saved is doing works for the glory of God versus self-proclaimed glory.

Answer 5

Many so-called Christians don't know that Faith in God and Good Works go together.
Last month a Christian preacher boasted to me that he owned two new Mercedes cars, and two ford trucks, and he lived in a five million dollar home. I told him he won't be saved unless he sold three of his vehicles and give the money to the poor. He told me that salvation is not through works but by Grace through Christ. I tried to tell him that Jesus said differently but he replied that I was quoting from a contaminated version of the New Testament.

Answer 6

Yes and No. First of all, a person is saved by believing on Jesus, period. As far as commiting sins, they are forgiven IF YOU REPENT; if you don't repent of them, they will still be there waiting for you to answer on.
As far as "works" go, Its the only thing you can take with you, and your works make up the white linen you wear in the eternity.
No works? We all get to see ya naked -
"there are more ways for shame than one".
So, you can be saved, but thats just the first little baby step. Hopefully, a person would strive to do alittle bit more than "barely make it".

Answer 7

You right, though lol.., this is inspiration, and not inspirational?, as I read questions which I will love to answer I find the best are from young generation?, you said a mouth full, of good and sensible knowledge?, which I do hope will inspired someone other than my self, to see how good a works to at least pronounce our self when we see and read something positive, and well that help to perceived who wrote this???, that is find though lol..., I will never be tire of perceived the good and positive Energy of another Human being trying to do the right thing, not for one not for once self, but especially for the new and generations of Children's to come they are our Future, so help me God.

Answer 8

The Good Thief didn't have TIME to do any good works. But he's the only person in history with a guranteed spot in Heaven. Works are an INDICATOR of our salvation. Nothing more.

Answer 9

Exactly. The Bible is clear on this point. We are saved by faith. But faith, without works, is dead. Therefore, we are saved by faith AND works, as the former cannot exist without the latter.

Answer 10

As an atheism, my first response should be, "saved from what?" However, if you live each day adhering to the highest standards of honesty, charity and courage, you will have a happy, fulfilled, wonderful life, so even if there is no afterlife, you still win.