Faith Is Works

Faith Equals Works

Works Require Faith

We all understand the principle of faith and works it is well taught by James and expressed by Paul. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (James 2:14, 26; Hebrews 11:1) Paul defines faith and James defines the relationship between works and faith; that is the way we generally view these passages.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD, not of works lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) This seems to contradict the previous scriptures, but it does not when you read the whole section of this letter to the Ephesians (in context).

If we believe that Hebrews 11:1 is the definition of faith and that James teaches the works of faith how do we answer his question in verse 14, Can faith save him? Yes, of course it does. We understand that the works referred to in Ephesians 2 are works that would prepare us for salvation; stopping our bad habits, start going to church, stuff that we do of our own accord so that GOD will like us and be pleased with us. The fact is that we cannot do anything that will make GOD love us more or want to save us more than He already does. For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth not rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 7:19-21) So if we are saved by faith not by works and faith without works is dead and works without faith are dead how do we build up treasures in Heaven?

What then is the balance of faith and works? We know that we cannot do anything to save ourself, we must come to GOD as we are; a sinner who cannot or will not change and only the power of the Gospel of Christ can save us. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of GOD to salvation to everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) So it is by faith that we do the works of salvation that will change us. Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is GOD who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13) What are the works of salvation?

This is where we have to know what Jesus said and taught, He taught us to pray for the will of GOD, “Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Not everyone who says to Me,’ LORD, LORD’, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Truthfully, I say to you, he who believes in Me the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. If you keep My Commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (Matthew 6:10, 33; 7:21; John 5:12, 38, 15:10)

So we are saved by faith through grace not by our own works or will, we are to do the will of the Father – the works of His Kingdom in the earth and not our own, and we are to keep Jesus’ commandments. Grace, faith, works (will) these work together not separately if we are going to work out our own salvation which is a gift from GOD through grace in fear and trembling then it must be done by keeping Jesus’ commandments which is to do the will (works) of GOD.

Why with fear and trembling? “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.’ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 7:23, 10:28)

What are the works of GOD that we are to do to build up treasure in Heaven? What did Jesus do? Only what He saw the Father doing. What did Jesus say? Only what He heard the Father saying. Why is this so hard for us? It is work sometimes hard, messy, painful work. It requires the surrender of our will (desires) to the Father’s will. It requires a public presence and statement of faith in Jesus by our obedience. It is scary!

In the 1960’s and 70’s during the Jesus and Charismatic movements many of the opponents and resisters of Christianity claimed Christianity was for weaklings, that it was like a crutch. That of course is not true, even in a country like the USA where Christianity is mostly excepted and persecution is minimal Christians are still ridiculed, mocked and treated with distain by many. But the hardest and messiest part is the personal changes we have to apply to our life (repentance). Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness but it is the process through testing, trials and persecutions of taking up our cross and following Jesus – dying to self to live for Jesus or be like those in Matthew 7:21-23

The cross was the will of the Father for Jesus and it is the will of the Father for us! When He had called the people to himself with His disciples He said, “Whoever desires to come after Me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)

Study Matthew 6, 7:21-23, 12:27-31, 13:24-30 & 36-43, 26:36-46, 28:16-20; Mark 8:34-38, 14:32-42, 16:14-18; Luke 12:4-7, 22:39-46, 24:44-49; John 3:14-21, 11:17-27, 14:7-18, 17:1-5; Acts 1:4-8; Romans 11:1-10; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Ephesians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:12-18; Hebrews 11:1-12:2; James 1:21-27, 2:14-26.