Can a person still gain salvation even if their faith is dead?

Question

The Bible says that faith without works is dead, yet people believe that works are unnecessary in gaining salvation. If they are unnecessary, and faith without works is dead, than can a person whose faith is dead, still gain salvation?

So, the ghist here is that one's faith can be dead to Christ and God and you still gain salvation, simply by the one declaration.

Answer 1

I think you're putting the cart before the horse here. James was talking to the "brethren," folks that were chosen, but hang on a sec, it wasn't for those who thought they could get away with claiming Christ and yet did nothing to show it. It was NOT a justification to simply be "good enough" to work your way into heaven. Jesus already covered that in several of his parables. One was a result of the other, one did not replace the other.

Answer 2

You are saved by faith but you can lose your salvation by your own chose. God will not let you go but you can choose to walk away. This is a contentious issue in the Christian world. I have studied the New Testament and have found 32 scriptures that support the above and so far only 1 that supports 'Once saved always saved' I do have a few books of the bible to go though.

Logically God does not make you into a robot when you get saved. You still can choose to do your own thing and turn away.

Answer 3

How can you say you have anything if you don't have faith?

It is my belief that when the Bible says "faith without works is dead" that it is saying that the Creator gave us his guidance to follow, kind of like instructions for being a good person, but anyone can believe there is a Creator and do nothing about it.

The Bible never says that there is any prayer that will prominently save you from "soul destruction," you have to "work" at being a good person all you life.

80+ years is not a whole lot of time. We all have a lot of learning about what is really means to be a good person before we die.

Answer 4

Yes, works are unnecessary in gaining salvation, lest you boast. Works are not done to be saved as salvation is by the grace and mercy of God. Works are the result of being saved; It's about doing everything in your power to be pleasing to God. Works are the fruit of the Holy Spirit which resides in a true believer in Christ. If someone is not trying to please God then of course their faith is useless and in fact they are not even saved. The same God who gives each a measure of faith also gives salvation.

Answer 5

A person who has accepted Jesus as his/her personal saviour cannot lose their salvation by any means.

The Bible says you must repent too though. Although you will likely sin again, you need to sincerely wish to stop sinning. For example, if someone asks forgiveness for killing a person while deliberately intending to kill another, they are still guilty.

Consider the verse: "And unto them I give eternal life, and nothing can snatch them out of my hands"

The bible says that the only way you can lose your salvation is by accepting the mark of the beast in the end times.

Besides - why would works contribute to salvation? That would mean that Jesus' work on the cross was not sufficient to save our souls - that there needs to be something extra? Jesus paid the ultimate price. There is nothing more that is needed, or will be needed. Jesus' life had infinite worth, able to pay mankind's infinite sin.

Answer 6

Today, faith and true spirituality are rare indeed. “Faith is not a possession of all people,” said Paul. (2 Thessalonians 3:2) Many are completely engrossed in their personal pursuits and have no faith in God. Their sinful conduct and lack of spirituality prevent them from seeing him with eyes of understanding, for the apostle John wrote: “He that does bad has not seen God.” (3 John 11) Because such individuals do not see God with their physical eyes, they act as if he does not see what they are doing. (Ezekiel 9:9) They look down on spiritual things, so they cannot acquire “the very knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5) Fittingly, then, Paul wrote: “A physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually.”—1 Corinthians 2:14.

Answer 7

You need an active faith (faith that is alive). An active faith leads to works, but it isn't that works that saves. What if someone has an active faith faith but never got the opportunity to do works, does this mean the person goes to hell? By no means, God looks into his/hers heart and sees that person had an active faith even though he/she never had the opportunity God gives that person the gift of salvation.

Answer 8

You gain Salvation when you accept Jesus as your Lord Savior not by Faith. Faith is Trusting and Beliveing in God but Faith is dead if your not doing the will of God........

Answer 9

Some may disagree with me, But I say yes, that some or many without faith may gain salvation. WHY? because all things are possible with God, and He knows better than we do about our individual heart, and that that is one key factor.

God would have compassionate and mercy on many. So, if you don't learn it here, you'll learn it there. I am sure in the Bible it talks about the robe of righteousness and the gown of salvation. When you arrive in heaven and you have on the robe, you get to go to the throne to see God, and if you arrive in the gown..... God took compassion-mercy on you and saved you from hell. Now you'll have to learn what you didn't on earth, and eventually you would be able to go to the throne to see God.

Answer 10

Yes, salvation again is a question of faith. I may doubt God for not giving me what I wanted but it doesn't mean otherwise. I will get salvation as i am god's child and he always keeps his children happy.