Are good works necessary for our salvation?

Question

St. Paul said it is "For by grace that we have been saved through faith ... it is not from works so no one may boast" (Ephesians 2,8-9). St. James seems to have a different view: "You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right [some translations use the word justified] with God, and not by our faith alone" (James 2,24, TEV).

Please read all the answers before choosing the best answer.

Answer 1

Faith justifies initially, but works perfect and complete our salvation. If all it takes to be saved is "to confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead" (Romans 10,9) then why must I change? Oh sure, I should change my sinful ways. I should try to please God. But if I don't does it really matter? My salvation is assured?

Salvation is a process of perseverance through faith, hope and love. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that one is justified or saved by "faith alone." On the contrary, man is not justified by faith alone. A person is justified by faith and works acting together, which comes solely from God's divine grace. Faith alone never obtains the grace of justification. Also, the word "justified" is the same word Paul uses for justification in Romans 4,3 in regard to Abraham (so Protestants cannot argue James is not referring to "justification" in James 2,24 unless they argue Pail wasn't either in Romans 4,3).

(See also: Luke 24,47; Acts 2,38, 3,19, 17,30; John 3,36; 2 Corinthians 10,15; 13,15; Galatians 5,6)

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 2

The greatest commandment that God had made is to love one another. Yes, we were saved by faith, but good works are always important...and that falls under 'love.' To love thy neighbor as thyself for the love of thee (the Lord). Why not do for someone else what we would do for ourselves.

It is when we do these kind things for people, that we shouldn't go around patting ourselves on the backs, or telling everyone 'what' or 'how much we do' or if the person we did something for makes us angry, then throwing it back in their face. That is the worst thing anyone could do. When we do good works for others, then don't bring it up again. It was done, the person is thankful and it becomes a part of history.

God sees and knows everything we do for others. There will come a time when we least expect it, we'll receive a reward seemingly out of nowhere and wonder where it came from. Did that ever happen to you? It has to me. And I didn't even have to verbalize my question. God just gave me an inner knowing that I was given back that which I had freely given with all my heart.

Answer 3

Not technically, no. St. Paul was correct when he said that it is by faith that we are saved. Once we put our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and accept God's forgiveness and grace then we are saved. However, that said, St. James is also right in that our actions will reflect where our heart is. The saying often goes, "actions speak louder than words." This is the case with our faith, as well. Once we have accepted salvation then we should act upon that grace and forgiveness by turning from our lost ways and living by God's Word and His commandments.

And for thos who think the Bible deny's a savior, I call your attention to John 12:44-50 where Christ identifies himself as the Savior.

Answer 4

I will boldly say that James was wrong. He was a legalist anyway. But that goes against the grain of modern Christianity.

Paul had it right because he understood it. As a faither in Christ, we receve the Holy Spirit. As we continue to trust God we gain the benefit of having God's nature in us, and we respond to things differently than we had before. So the nature that the Holy Spirit brings us incluse the tendencies that God himself has. It is a Christ-like activity, and we begin to do things that Jesus himself would have done. Not that we try to do certain things, but that he leads us into doing those things. Those are the only works that we can do that will withstand the fire at our judgement. They will have eternal implications.

Those are the works that are meaningfu;l, that do not have ourself as the center of doing them. Those works have the will of God behind them. Paul was right, and James was wrong.

Answer 5

It is not necessary as a Christian to perform good works IN ORDER to please God because, first of all, our good deeds are but filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) and, most important, we are made righteous in the eyes of God by the finished work of Jesus on the cross (Rom. 5).
This is one of the areas where people error. They confuse good works with the forgiveness of sins. They combine the two and teach that God will not accept us if we are not trying to be good. Because they have a wrong view of who Jesus is, they have a wrong view of salvation.

A common objection to this doctrine of justification by faith is that if a Christian believes in God, then he does not need to do anything good, that he could then go out and sin all he wanted.

First of all, this objection is answered in Romans 6. We are not saved for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7). We do not use the grace of God to sin.
Second, a Christian is called to be Holy (1 Pet. 1:16).
Third, a Christian is called to do good works (Eph. 2:10).

It is just that these works are not combined with our faith to merit the forgiveness of our sins, they are, instead, a natural result of our saved condition. We do good works because we are Christians, not to become Christians.

Answer 6

Epheshians 2 of course states that we are saved by potential of God's grace, not by potential of our works so as that none could nicely be packed with delight. it somewhat is God's grace that calls us to Him and provides us faith. As Paul says, if our works ought to maintain us, we could be conceited. here's slightly asserting i like to sum it up, and sparkling the meant distinction between what Paul is asserting and what James states: Works do not produce salvation, yet salvation produces works. James is asserting that a Christian's whose existence does not shine of their faith, who has no "works" terrific examine to verify in the event that they're basically having faith interior the actuality God exists and Jesus saved us. Have they actually placed their existence interior the Lord? For if we do, he will substitute us.

Answer 7

what is faith? well may you say you believe so too do the demons believe ,by your faith have we been made well ,but do not your works prove the faith you hold.
we are saved by grace ,gods good grace alone ,but saved to what that depends on your /our faith ,our faith if true faith is seen in our works,
say i say noe your faith has made you sick ,or that your faith has made you well
what makes your faith? justified? justified how? to what end?
has your faith brought you to sin
or has your faith fruited love?
what is blind faith in a lie?
are your works your deeds ?
your pleasure?
come they from your faith?
faith in what? who?
but dont worry have faith and seek to do good works,
god has grace whatever your faith.

Answer 8

This is true but the WHOLE Bible and not one or two verses out of context does the trick,in Rev. 22:12 it also says that when Jesus Christ [The Second member of The Godhead] returnes He rewards everyone according to there WORKS shall be, we are not saved BY our works but UNTO Good works Jesus said in John 14:15 "IF" You love Me [then you will] Keep my commandments, if you love Him enough to keep His commandments then you will love Him enough to be there IF not you won't its that simple, hay find out more free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com bible questions www.bibleinfo.com talk to me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 9

No good works are not required for salvation. Only the blood of Christ is. We are however called to be Christ-like which would include doing good works. Good works is about obedience and not salvation just as is baptism.

Answer 10

You can't have one without the other.

If you say you are a musician you will play music. You do not have to play in instrument to become a musician but if you are one then playing music is a natural by-product of that.

Grace and Peace to you.