“Faith versus works.” Has anyone ever heard of this concept before? Perhaps I should ask, has anyone not heard of this concept before? I really, really hesitate to discuss this subject, because I don’t feel like I have a definitive answer to this conundrum. Nevertheless, what I don’t have a problem with is opening up a discussion about it, which means that your opinions are more than welcomed. Please, don’t be shy!
The statement points to what is required to prove worthy of Heaven. Is it only faith, or does it also require works? To those who say only faith is required, they might point to this passage:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”[Ephesians 2:8-9]
For those who say works are required, they might point to the very next verse:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” [v. 10]
As James teaches in chapter 2, verses 14 – 26, one’s faith is best demonstrated by one’s good works:
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” [v. 26]
Bottom line, once one understands what God has done for them by giving them faith, by what Jesus has done by saving them, and by what the Holy Spirit continues to do with His constant, constant presence and help, that one should desire, indeed should jump at the chance, to do the good works that God has prepared for them, in advance, mind you, to do:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” [Titus 2:11-14]
Blessings,
Keith