Faith vs Works (Part 1): The introduction.
I’m in a rather unique position with this blog. I get hit from both sides of the Faith vs Works debate. On the one side are the Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses who claim that faith itself is insufficient without man working for his salvation (funny how these three groups tend to have so much in common). On the other side are the cheap-grace, easy-believism, lukewarm crowd who love to label me judgmental and a legalist when I say that there is not only a Biblical mandate for holiness and good works, but that these will be evident in the life of a true Believer.
Scripture is crystal clear on this issue, leaving no room for doubt (unless you choose to ignore the facts) that we are indeed saved by faith apart from works and separate from deeds. This can also be defined as “alone.” To deny Scripture’s clear teaching on this takes an unwillingness to part from former presuppositions and religious indoctrination.
With that said, I thought I’d cite numerous texts that deal directly with our salvation being through faith alone (Part 2); what the Bible says about those who rely on the law and their good works for salvation (Part 3); what place the Law and “good works” play in our faith (Part 4); and my conclusion (Part 5).
I am not posting this five-part series in an attempt to win any arguments or even to create more (although some will be inclined to do so). I will let the Scriptures speak for themselves with minimal commentary on my part. If you have reservations about their context, I encourage you to research them for yourselves.
If I can win 1,000 arguments but not change one mind, heart, and soul, I have done nothing. I am hoping that with the following posts I can put to rest the issue some may be struggling with when it comes to Faith vs Works. Thank you for your faithful readership and as always, your comments are welcome.
(All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible).
PART ONE
1, December 13, 2007 at 5:43 am
[...] of Baptism in the salvation experience, but I thought it would be useful to post the following link:Saved by FaithPart IIPart IIIPart IVPart V The moderator of the blog “Reformation Nation” and I [...]
1, April 15, 2008 at 10:03 pm
[...] PART ONE [...]
1, June 30, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I have appreciated your effort to explain your position on the faith vs. work argument. I have always used an inner gauge to tell me what is right and wrong. If something inspires, enlarges, brings peace or leaves me feeling better then I find that it is safe to embrace. Your writing did not do that for me so I ask why? I have come to know that one cannot get a right answer when asking the wrong question. Pondering that idea I ask myself what would be a better question to find the way to God. Of course the Savior is the example so I thought of what he did. His example is true. He set the example of prayer to his Father and always responded to what the Father wanted Him to do. There did not seem to be a question of faith vs. works. It was do the will of His Father. He left us with the commandment to become perfect as He is. I know and He knows that no man will ever accomplish that on this Earth but never-he-less it is the commandment. That is the quest and to get hung up on the faith vs. work thing is not the way of God. They must be companions and not competitors if we are to follow the Savior. After these thoughts came to my mind I felt the peace that I always do when pondering a truth. I therefore reject your much study and research in favor of the harmony of the Lords example.
1, July 3, 2008 at 4:32 am
Dear Keith:
Thank you for your comment. I have taken the liberty to copy and paste your entire comment on this same post on the new blog Defending. Contending.
- The Pilgrim