FAITH THAT WORKS

Charles N. Spence, Jr.

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17).

One of the most misunderstood teachings of the Bible is grace through faith. People have often cited Ephesians 2:8-9 with the exclusion of verse 10. The text is used to prove that man cannot work his way into heaven. In as much as it is true, man cannot work his way into heaven, the extreme has produced the erroneous concept that man cannot, in anyway, contribute to his own salvation. However, such reasoning ignores what the Bible says in other places. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phi. 2:12). In light of this passage, if someone asked the question, "Can a man work out his own salvation?" what would be the answer? Also, take into consideration Peter's charge to the Jews who were assembled on the day of Pentecost. "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). This passage suggests that there is a contribution one can and ought to make to his salvation. In the context of Acts 2, Peter had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After concluding his sermon with the charge that those gathered were responsible for the death of Jesus, the heart-pricked crowd asked Peter, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Many today would have told them, "There is nothing you can do; Jesus has done it all. Just accept what Jesus has done and ask him into your heart." The first observation concerning such an answer is that there are works involved. They are told there is NOTHING you can do. Then they are told to do something: accept and ask. These are works. Anything that a person does is a work. The second observation is the answer is nothing like what Peter told them to do. Peter did not tell them there is nothing you can do. He told them to repent and to be baptized. He told them what to do.

The question, then, is not should a person do works, but rather what works should a person do? In Romans Paul deals with the Jewish mentality that works of the Law would bring salvation. In Ephesians Paul is dealing with the idea that man can be saved by works of his own devising. "For by grace ye are saved (On the part of God salvation is by grace) through faith (On the part of man salvation is through faith)" (Eph. 2:8). God gives man the capacity to believe reveals to him the things to believe, and gives ample testimony to produce the necessary faith. Man is not saved through the works of his own devising or choosing. One must do the works of God (John 6:28-29, Eph. 2:10 and Titus 2:14). One is saved in doing the works of God. He is not saved by the merits of the work, but by proving his faith in doing the things commanded by God.

God commands that a person believe or have faith (Heb. 11:6). God commands that a person repents (Acts 17:30). God commands that people confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). God commands that a person be baptized unto salvation (Mark 16:16). Jesus said, "Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Jesus also said that a person will get to heaven if he does the will of God (Matt. 7:21).

The Bible does not teach there is nothing a person should do or can do. Nevertheless, totally the opposite. He can do what God instructs him to do (Phi. 4:13). In doing so, he will have no reason to boast for he has done that which was his duty to do (Luke 17:10). All glory will go to God. No one can earn his salvation. However, when he works the works of God he would have exercised faith by doing what God has commanded in hopes of attaining the promises of God. Remember! "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17).