Why do Christians believe that only faith and not works can save?

Question

Please refer to this part of the Bible (KJV)

(James 2: 20-23) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Answer 1

Works are the evidence of your faith. Not the source of your salvation. Look at what James is saying...

"If there is no evidence of your faith via your works, there is none."

You can say you have faith till the cows come home, but actions speak louder than words. You can say, "I am a Christian", but if your works reveal you as an pagan, then that is an evidence.

Works are an evidence, not a means to an end. If it were works that gained salvation, how would you ever know there were enough? Who would set the arbitrary line? Would you ever feel secure in your walk?
Salvation via works is an absolutely false concept. How will you EVER know that you have done enough good, or if it will balance out the bad?

The truth is, before you accept Jesus as Savior, none of your good deeds are taken in to account, only the sin you have committed in violation to the law. After you accept Jesus as your Savior, your sins are deleted from the record and only the good you do in the Spirit remains. (1 Cor. 3)

You cannot buy your way into heaven with tithes, keeping of traditions or rules, rituals, singing in the choir or good deeds. THAT is why Jesus had to come and die in our place.

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began
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There is only one way to heaven and that is through the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

John 10:9
Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by [Jesus'] blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
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The good news is, the gift of salvation is just that--a gift--it is free. If you try to buy the gift, you will never be able to afford it, so all you need to do is accept it and say, "thank you."

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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Answer 2

In the old testament they were under the law. When Jesus died on the cross the veil that separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple rent in two, meaning it wasn't needed anymore, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. The only sacrifice.

Ephesians 2: 8&9

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

So we can't brag about what WE did to get into Heaven, "I did this, I did that, I did more than you, etc". We all get to Heaven the exact same way, Faith in Jesus, which is a gift. You don't work for a gift, gifts are free.

Pertaining to James chapter 2: "Faith without works is dead", it means that we already have Faith (in Jesus) so we will work for him. It's like my old preacher used to say, When you pray for rain, remember to take your umbrella.

Answer 3

faith in Jesus is vital for it is the only way to get salvation.
Man can not purchase it by money or deeds alone. If a person is an involid and can't do anything it would not be available to him. Salvation is available to all free of charge and can not add more to what Jesus did on the cross.

A faith without deeds is worthless. One can believe and never do or say anything to serve the Lord. God even knows the good deeds that we did that were only punished by man, those deeds are still seen by God and rewarded to those doers in heaven.
We are to work the talents we were given in Jesus's name not our own. Bring Glory and honor to god not ourselves.

Answer 4

Well....at least Ur reading a little Scripture! "Faith" is that used to attain Salvation. After Salvation our "Faith" is refined in us by the work of the Holy Spirit guiding our "Spiritual Works" which is NOT the SAME as "Working for Salvation"! So tell me, what "Work (s)" could we possible do that is better than the "Perfect Work" of Christ on the cross??? OR, what could we possible do, to cancel Christs' work of salvation after we accept it??? (James 2:19-26) (I cor.3:12&13) (Isiah 64:6) (John 10:25-30) John

Answer 5

Congradulations! That is what means questioning faith. The Bible says both are necessary. Therefore religions claiming all you have to do is declare your faith and that is it, OR, just do good things without belief can not be following the true religion. By eliminating these, you are on your way to finding "the way" God approves.

Answer 6

Works are the result of salvation, not the cause. There is a difference.

"For by such grace you have been saved through faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of God and not the result of works, lest anyone boast. For we are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared long ago to be our way of life." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We see that the works are the result of salvation, not what causes it. God will not be obligated to anyone. (Romans 4:3ff)

Answer 7

Eph. 2:8-10"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

"Not of works," means you can't earn your salvation by just observing the law.

Answer 8

Did the thief on the cross have any works before he died? No. Faith is all he had. Jesus said today you'll be with me in paradise. Works come out of faith.

Answer 9

Well put. The Apostle Paul also said something similar. I do know that some Christians believe that only through baptism they can be saved. In other words, if they become atheists after being baptized, they will still go to "heaven".

Answer 10

faith with out works is dead, works don't get you in but the are a product of faith..... were it says" faith wrought works"
means faith cooperating with works made his faith complete"