Faith Alone in Christ Alone

By Pamela Rose Williams

I have heard it said many times that the epistles of Paul and James disagree on the definition of faith when it comes to salvation. Some say James supports a work-based type of faith, while Paul preaches faith alone in Christ alone for salvation. Let’s look at this a little closer.

When you believe the Bible is the word of God you must also believe that every word of God is pure and that words matter. So, in the same way we must believe that God never disagrees with Himself because He cannot lie, in fact it is impossible for Him to lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Taking all this into account should have you to agree that there are no contradictions in the Bible, only Apparent Contradictions. Apparent Contradictions do not mean the Bible is wrong, it means you have not studied enough to understand what God is teaching you. Therefore, it is important to realize that we do not prove what we believe to God, God proves what He believes to us, and we must rightly divide the word of truth, so God’s truth is understood (Selah Mountain Ministries Introduction to the Bible 47-48).

Such is the case when we look at some proof texts used to defend a popular belief in the Reformed Theology of Calvinism: Perseverance of the Saints. This is the belief that only those who persevere in faith and good works until the end of their life will be saved. They say the Apostle James supports this idea when he says, “Faith without works is dead”. This is a fraction of the whole verse and context found in James 2 and reformers would have you to believe it means that belief in what Jesus did on the cross was not enough, you must also prove to God that you have faith by good works. They go on to say that James and Paul are in opposition with one another because Paul teaches salvation by faith alone in Christ alone without works and James says you must have works in addition to faith alone. If you believe that James teaches one thing and Paul teaches another then you also believe that there are indeed contradictions in the Bible.

Remember I said, “words matter”! Let’s take a look at a few things Paul says and what James said in the Bible:

Some popular passages from Paul:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the law. (Romans 3:23-28)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall not flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

One great passage from James:

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:20-26)

Wait a minute! Paul clearly says that works have nothing to do with salvation (justification), but James says that man is justified not by faith only and he even says Abraham and Rahab used works to be justified. This simply cannot be because it seems as if there is a contradiction here and remember there are no contradictions only Apparent Contradictions. Maybe it is not so clear after all…this means we have not dug deep enough!

Are there two different kinds of faith? No, not at all. In fact, the Greek word “pistis” is translated “faith” and is used in all of these passages. In my study, I have found that the confusion seems to trace back to the Protestant Reformation as a reaction to the Roman Catholic understanding of faith. In fact, even today reformed theologians, like Calvinists, would have you to believe that faith is necessary however you can either have “saving faith” (genuine faith) or something that they call “spurious faith” which is a faith that is not true or enduring. What they mean is if you do not have “saving faith” you cannot have eternal life. In fact, Calvinists even believe that you can lose your faith and therefore it is not possible to endure to the end. I am not making this up, here is what some of the popular Reformed Theologians said:

“The doctrine of perseverance of the saints in Reformed theology teaches that true believers will certainly keep their faith to the end through all tests and temptations…” (J. I. Packer)

“When Reformed Christians talk about perseverance of the saints, they mean…that precisely because God perseveres with us, we also must persevere. We must be faithful. It is therefore also proper to say that a Christian is one who is characterized by a full faith to the very end of life.” (James Montgomery Boice)

“Those who are genuinely saved are those who prove themselves to be doers of the Word.: (R. C. Sproul)

“Where there are no works, we must assume no faith exists either…No works, no faith. Real faith inevitably produces faith-works.” (John MacArthur)

This brings me to the Biblical doctrine of Progressive Sanctification which some confuse to be the same as Perseverance of the Saints. However, they are not the same at all. Progressive Sanctification is the present working of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life after they have heard and believed the gospel of their salvation. This Biblical doctrine teaches that as we choose to listen to the Holy Spirit (Whom indwelled us at the point of belief, Ephesians 1:13) we will supernaturally make good choices and produce His fruit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Simply stated, this is Christian maturity. Calvinists believe that if you are really saved you will produce good works always as evidence of your real faith. But do all Christians mature in their faith?

The problem with the Perseverance of the Saints belief is that it ignores the truth that not only is God sovereign (Psalm 115:3; 135:6; Ephesians 1:4), but He also gives man free will to make choices (Matthew 23:37; John 3:36; Hebrews 5:9; John 5:40). He offers salvation as a free gift to everyone but only those who accept the gift are saved because grace is totally resistible. In the same respect choosing to walk in the flesh (sin) is still possible even after salvation (Matthew 23:37; John 5:43; Acts 26:28; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 7:51; Romans 3:24; Revelation 23:17; Titus 2:11). The truth of the matter is that this progressive sanctification is not guaranteed for the believer because everyone can choose to walk in sin. Let me say that again, although eternal life is guaranteed at the moment of salvation (deliverance from the penalty of sin), safety from the power of sin while we are on earth is not guaranteed. Our new nature is in a constant battle with our old sin nature and only with the help of the Holy Spirit can we fight that battle. Some Christians simply never “progress” in their faith because they ignore the Holy Spirit. In this case it is difficult to even tell if they are baby Christians or not Christians at all. For further study on this read Galatians 5 and Ephesians 4 & 6.

So then, how do works play into our faith walk? Does Paul say that works are not important? Well, if we read to the next verse in Titus 3, we see:

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)

Paul talks about “working out your own salvation” over in Philippians also:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:5-13)

Do you see it? In that earlier passage – James 2:20-26, James is saying exactly the same thing only he uses a little different analogy. He equates “works” to “spirit” in the body – the energy to make the body alive. He says just like when your spirit leaves your body you will be dead, if you do not use your good works after salvation to edify others your faith is dead. The spirit keeps the body alive and good works keep your faith alive and even helps to mature and strengthen it. James uses a literary device called a hypothetical objector to illustrate this point. Sadly, many commentators do not understand this and think James is speaking to the reader rather than giving a hypothetical response.

So, the faith that both Paul and James speak of is the same however, Paul addresses justification before God while James explains justification before man. Paul continually teaches that we are justified (saved) by grace through faith and James takes it a step further when he talks about how even though God knows we are saved sometimes men do not. So, when we do good works (after salvation) this helps other people see that we are Christians. Good works are a result of faith and fruit of the Spirit.

“Works” matter! Remember, we cannot earn salvation with works but that does not mean that we cannot use works after salvation to strengthen and mature our faith. When Paul talks about works in this context “working out” and they which have believed need to be careful to maintain good works it is like saying, God already knows you are safe and secure, but you can use your good works in a profitable way to edify others and show them that you are the light of the world, you belong to Jesus. Exercising your faith by good works makes your faith stronger. James said the same thing!

Words matter and understanding the correct use of words is essential in understanding Bible doctrine, especially when you are dealing with a controversial subject. Paul and James, both Apostles, have two distinct styles of writing and are well known for their subject matter. When you believe that God’s word is pure and there are no contradictions in it, even the man-made doctrines will not throw you for a loop. Without a doubt Paul and James are in complete agreement about the fact that faith is what saves us. They also agree about justification as it relates to eternal life. Finally, both Apostles exhort believers to work out our own salvation so that we can strengthen our faith and share it with others to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Things to Think on and Do:

1. List at least two verses (passages) where Paul speaks of grace and how it is related to faith.
2. Where in the Bible can you find a verse or passage that gives a good definition of faith.
3. If works are not needed for salvation, other than good works as helpful to show men that we belong to Jesus, what other value are good works in Heaven? Please use Scripture to support your answer.