"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10, ESV).
We are not saved without works to prove our faith. We are saved by faith alone, but not that kind of faith that is alone, via the formula of the Reformers. Faith is the gift of God (2 Pet. 1:1; Phil. 1:29; Rom. 12:3), but we are expected to put it into action. You can distinguish faith and works, but cannot separate them because they go hand in hand as being complimentary! Actually, faith is knowledge in action! We don't have faith, we do it and show it! We are not saved by faith plus good works, as legalists believe, but faith unto good works.
We are not saved without works to prove our faith. We are saved by faith alone, but not that kind of faith that is alone, via the formula of the Reformers. Faith is the gift of God (2 Pet. 1:1; Phil. 1:29; Rom. 12:3), but we are expected to put it into action. You can distinguish faith and works, but cannot separate them because they go hand in hand as being complimentary! Actually, faith is knowledge in action! We don't have faith, we do it and show it! We are not saved by faith plus good works, as legalists believe, but faith unto good works.
But Works prove faith, but are not the substitute for it. If you have no good works, your faith is bogus or suspect! Actually, we are ordained to do good works for God's glory as of the fulfillment of our faith (cf. Eph. 2:10). This is called putting your faith into practice or walking the walk! John 13:17 (ESV) says, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."
The problem with a works religion is that you never know your status and cannot have the security and assurance of salvation. We are incurably addicted to doing something for our salvation (cf. John 6:28-29), and Jesus said the work of God is to believe in Him. We are not saved by good works, it is said, but we are not saved without them either. Works is just evidence of our salvation, and not a means of salvation. Paul would say, "I'll show you my faith by my good works," while James would counter: "I'll show you my good works by my faith!" James went on to say that faith without works is dead in James 2:17, 20.
The problem with a works religion is that you never know your status and cannot have the security and assurance of salvation. We are incurably addicted to doing something for our salvation (cf. John 6:28-29), and Jesus said the work of God is to believe in Him. We are not saved by good works, it is said, but we are not saved without them either. Works is just evidence of our salvation, and not a means of salvation. Paul would say, "I'll show you my faith by my good works," while James would counter: "I'll show you my good works by my faith!" James went on to say that faith without works is dead in James 2:17, 20.
Note, works are important, for we are judged by our works, not our faith (cf. Romans 2:6). We are not saved by our service, but unto service. We were "created unto good works," or you could say we are His workmanship and our works are destined beforehand. As we do good works we glorify God and represent Jesus to the world, as Dorcas was "full of good works and acts of charity" (cf. Acts 9:36).
Antinomians would have you believe that we are saved by faith minus works! The reason that we are saved apart from the works of the law and therefore we can live in a lawless manner. We are not lawless and never receive the right to live according to personal whim. We never have the right to do or live as we please or to do what is wrong! God doesn't grant the license to do what's right in our own eyes, as Israel did in Judges 21:25 ("Each man did what was right in his own eyes...").
There is a close relationship between works and faith--they can be distinguished, but not separated. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who is obedient believes and only he who believes is obedient. Obedience is the criterion for genuine faith and the only measure of it. Feelings and ecstasies are not the measures of faith, but obedience is, and faith is the only thing that pleases God!
The Scripture equips us for all good works and gives us all we need to do God's will His way (cf. 2 Tim. 3:17). If we were saved by good works, it is argued, we would have reason to boast in God's presence. In the final analysis, the faith you have is the faith you show! There is such a thing as works without faith, but not faith without works in God's eyes. We must translate our creeds into deeds! We must take the leap of faith in obedience: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (Rom. 10:16, ESV.
In sum, let me quote two verses: "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works" (Titus 3:8, ESV). God wants to "purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14, ESV, emphasis mine). Soli Deo Gloria!
Antinomians would have you believe that we are saved by faith minus works! The reason that we are saved apart from the works of the law and therefore we can live in a lawless manner. We are not lawless and never receive the right to live according to personal whim. We never have the right to do or live as we please or to do what is wrong! God doesn't grant the license to do what's right in our own eyes, as Israel did in Judges 21:25 ("Each man did what was right in his own eyes...").
There is a close relationship between works and faith--they can be distinguished, but not separated. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that only he who is obedient believes and only he who believes is obedient. Obedience is the criterion for genuine faith and the only measure of it. Feelings and ecstasies are not the measures of faith, but obedience is, and faith is the only thing that pleases God!
The Scripture equips us for all good works and gives us all we need to do God's will His way (cf. 2 Tim. 3:17). If we were saved by good works, it is argued, we would have reason to boast in God's presence. In the final analysis, the faith you have is the faith you show! There is such a thing as works without faith, but not faith without works in God's eyes. We must translate our creeds into deeds! We must take the leap of faith in obedience: "But they have not all obeyed the gospel..." (Rom. 10:16, ESV.
In sum, let me quote two verses: "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works" (Titus 3:8, ESV). God wants to "purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14, ESV, emphasis mine). Soli Deo Gloria!
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