What Good Is Faith Without Works?

 Karl Broberg, Blogger/Bible teacher (10+ yrs), researcher, life coach

Answered 3h ago

The Reformers taught that we are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. If it is not accompanied by works it is dead faith—which cannot save (cf. James 2:26). Even the demons believe and tremble (cf. James 2:19). Faith must produce fruit and have the natural byproduct of good works or deeds. We are to be known by our fruits (cf. Matt. 7:16). We are not saved by works, but neither without them. Works validate and authenticate our faith and prove it is saving faith. No fruit means no faith!

God has redeemed Himself a people “zealous of good works” (cf. Titus 2:14). James 2;18 says that James would show you his faith by his works! Anyone can say he has faith but will they use it to glorify God? For example, by faith, Abraham obeyed God and went out (cf. Heb. 11:8). There is no such thing as being a disobedient disciple because we are called to obey Christ by faith, as Jesus said that if we love Him, we will obey His commands (cf. John 15:10). How can you call Him Lord, and not obey? “All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” (cf. Acts 2:21). “No man can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit,” (cf. 1 Cor. 12:3).

The whole point of salvation is a changed life and becoming a new creature per 2 Cor. 5:17 (doing works fit for repentance, cf. Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20). The idea of “no-lordship salvation” or easy-believism has been around for decades and Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it “cheap grace.”

There are only three ways one tries to get saved:

1. Works alone equals salvation (religion)
2. Works plus faith equals salvation (legalism)
3. Faith equals salvation that’s not producing works (Antinomianism or libertinism)
4. Faith equals salvation resulting in works. (correct).

NB: Antinomians are usually believers in “no-lordship” salvation or that you need not accept Christians the record of your life to be saved which would entail obedience. In other words, works need not result from salvation. It is works of the flesh that don’t please God. Our works must be wrought in God through the Spirit (cf. Hosea 14:8; Isaiah 26:12; Amos 6:13; Romans 15:18). In the final analysis, obedience is the test of faith and is linked in Heb. 3:18–19.  Soli Deo Gloria! 

Why Is Faith Without Works Dead?

Faith and repentance are a gift must produce the fruit of righteousness (cf. Acts 26:20; Matt. 3:8) by which we are judged and known (cf. Matt. 7:16).

1. Faith expresses itself as knowledge acted on; Abraham obeyed by faith as the father of the faithful (cf. Heb. 11:8).
2. Faith is seen by its fruit; you are known by your fruits; the point of faith is a changed life (cf. Matt. 1:21; 7:16).
3. Faith must be authenticated to be seen as in Heb. 11, called the Hall of faith; Abraham was the father of faith (cf. Gal. 3:7; Matt. 1:21).
4. Faith doesn’t save, what is done with it does; judged by works, not faith (cf. Rom. 2:6).
5. Faith doesn’t save and creeds don’t save, its object does, if it’s Christ (cf. Matt. 1:21 Romans 5:1)
6. Faith is our witness to others as evidence of things unseen. (cf. James 2:18; Heb. 11:1).
7. Faith has the fruit of obedience as proof and faithfulness is applied faith (cf. Heb. 3:18–19); it will be done unto us according to our faith (cf. Matt. 9:29).
8. Faith can be claimed without being genuine and judged by faithfulness (cf. Romans 1:17; Matt. 25:21).
9. Faith in Jesus changes lives with works as proof (cf. Heb. 11:2).
10. Faith is directed towards an object or person; it’s knowledge put to work by definition.
11. Faith cannot be claimed without being authentic; no one can boast of it as a gift (cf. Eph. 2:9).
12. Faith is a sign or evidence that cannot be denied by its action; it’s trusting in what one has good reason to believe in by definition (cf. Heb. 11:1,8).
13. Faith with works is proof of salvation, but works are not a substitute for faith (cf. Rom. 4:5; James 2:14).
14. Faith is the instrumental means of salvation not salvation itself, not the essence of it either but proof of it (cf. Rom. 4:5).
15. Faith without works cannot be rewarded and is suspect (cf. James 2:28), but works by faith can (cf. Rom. 2:6; Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12); the two cannot be divorced (cf. Heb. 6:1; Heb. 3:18–19; James 2:26; Romans 2:,
16. Faith and obedience go hand in hand and are equated in Scripture (cf. Heb. 3:18–19; 6:1 Acts 6:7; Romans 1:5).
17. Faith is dead without works (cf. James 2:20) meaning that it has no effects; it’s useless and of no avail by definition; it cannot save! Dead faith goes nowhere.
18. Faith comes by the the hearing of the Word (cf. Romans 10:17).
19. Faith is the gift of God and cannot be boasted of because it’s grace at work (cf. Acts 18:27; Phil. 1:29; Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8–9).
20. Faith is knowledge in action or trusting in what one has good reason to believe by definition,
21. Faith is explained: For we walk by faith and not by sight (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7);
22. Faith is commanded: The just shall live by faith (cf. Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38; Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17);
23. Faith is expected: Without faith it is impossible to please God (cf. Heb. 11:6);
24. Faith is lasting: We must remain grounded in the faith (cf. Col. 1:23)
25. Faith is a fight and battle: And fight the good fight of faith (cf. 1 Tim. 6:12).  Soli Deo Gloria!

Unproductive Christians?

Jesus said in John 15:16 that he has appointed us to bear fruit and that our fruit would endure. We are destined for fruit, but what kind of fruit? I agree that some Christians won't get any reward in heaven because their works will be burned up like wood, hay, and stubble (cf. 1 Cor. 3:15). Likewise, some Christians remain baby believers and never mature or grow up spiritually. Many believers never win souls for Christ and reproduce fruit in this sense also. But Hosea 14:8 says our fruitfulness comes from God. Our patience is not our gift to God, but his gift to us.

The fruit of the Spirit is from God and God gets the glory. A branch that doesn't bear fruit is taken away and burned and so a Christian that isn't producing isn't abiding in the vine (Jesus). Jesus cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit--that's what he thinks of a fruitless or dead tree. Not bearing fruit means one is dead and not abiding. All believers bear fruit such as love, joy, and peace, if not at salvation, afterward. I would put no stock in a believer that isn't bearing fruit--and we are to be fruit inspectors. In conclusion, we will know them by their fruits.   Soli Deo Gloria!