Saved by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone

* Is salvation by faith alone, or is salvation by faith plus works?

* This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology.

* This question was the cause of the Reformation, and the split between Protestants and Roman Catholicism.

* This question is a key difference between biblical Christianity and most of the cults.

* Is salvation through faith alone or through faith plus human works?

* Stated another way, am I saved by trusting in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and, in addition, do certain things? * The works in addition to faith needed for salvation differ in various religious circles.

* Many groups such as Roman Catholicism, Church of Christ, Eastern Orthodox, and others point to water baptism as a work that must be added to faith for salvation.

* They believe that if you’re not baptized, you’re not saved.

* Some go even further: you must be baptized by the right minister, using the right method, saying the right words. * Others suggest different rites to be observed in order to be saved, but the formula is always faith + works.

* Salvation is through faith + receiving Mass, faith + going to confession, faith + tithing, etc.

* Many passages of the Bible teach that salvation is through faith alone, not faith plus works.

* Ephesians 2:8–9, for example, is clearly worded and unequivocal:

* “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

* Of great importance is the word grace, which refers to God’s blessings on the undeserving, such as you and I.

* The very idea of grace negates all attempts that salvation can be earned.

* Paul makes that argument when teaching on God’s choosing of the remnant of Israel: “Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works.

* For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved” Romans 11:6.

* Other passages that clearly teach salvation through faith alone include Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9.

* There are a few Bible verses that, at first glance, seem to teach salvation through faith plus works.

* One of these is James 2:24, which appears to say that justification is by faith plus works:

* “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

* This apparent problem is solved by examining the whole of James’ argument in his epistle.

* James is refuting the idea that a person can have saving faith without producing any good works James 2:17–18.

* Genuine faith in Christ, James says, will produce a changed life and result in good works. James 2:20, and James 2:26.

* James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his or her life.

* The works are an outward show of genuine faith in Christ. James 2:14, James 2:17, James 2:20, James 2:26.

* It’s that outward show that “justifies” the believer in the sight of other people.

* Paul says those who have true faith in Jesus Christ will be “eager to do what is good” Titus 2:14.

* Paul says that we were created “to do good works” in Ephesians 2:10.

* Salvation comes by God’s grace through faith, and that faith is made manifest in good works.

* The works follow the faith and are a proof of it. * If we’re going to say that we are saved by works, we must qualify whose works.

* We are not saved by our own works, however meritorious they are in our own eyes.

* We are saved solely by the work of Christ on our behalf.

* His death and His resurrection are the works that save us.

* We receive our Savior by faith John 1:12.

Let us pray.