Faith or Works

Introduction

Unfortunately, there is some confusion in the world, among non-believers and some believers as well, about salvation. There are a couple of key verses that people feel contradict each other about by what means we are saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9 states:
“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.”

This verse is clear cut. Paul wrote to the Ephesians and is reminding them that the salvation they received is through faith and not based on anything they themselves (or we ourselves, if we apply this to our lives as we should) have done. This eliminates the possibility of man claiming credit and boasting.

So, it appears clear that Paul teaches salvation through faith.

James 2:17-18

On the other side of the coin, we have James 2:17-18, which states:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.”

This is often taken as a contradiction to what Paul says in Ephesians. At first glance, it appears that James is advocating for salvation by works, but is he really?

The Explanation

Let’s examine this for a second. As we read about and experience what occurs at the time of salvation, the fact that we:

  • become a new creation ,
  • are indwelled by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16),
  • and are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6),

…we can understand that there is a change in who we are.

James, in this passage, is pointing not to the idea of works for salvation, but the truth of works because of salvation. The works are an outpouring of the Spirit-filled new creation that we become at the time of salvation.

The Harmony

So, as we can see here, where people point out a contradiction, there is no contradiction at all. Instead, there is true harmony between the two.

A Deeper Point

However, I will add one point that may ruffle some feathers, at least for a few seconds until you finish this post:

Salvation is not from works, but it is also not from faith either.

Hear me out. If we look closely at the verbiage Paul uses, we can also see that it is not our faith that saves us, but it is God’s grace bestowed through that faith.

It is God’s grace—and only God’s grace—that allows for our salvation.

But that grace is bestowed through faith and is manifest through works (Read Matthew ch. 7).

Conclusion

Praise the name of Jesus, the only one who can save.