Faith And Works: Partners In Spiritual Growth

how do faith and works go together

The relationship between faith and works is a central topic in biblical theology, and one that has divided Protestants and Roman Catholics since the Reformation. The Bible teaches that salvation is received not on the basis of works but on the basis of faith in God alone. However, this does not mean that works are irrelevant. Rather, good works are the necessary evidence of salvation. They are the fruit and product of our new life in Jesus Christ, and an expression of our love for God. Faith and works are not enemies but always go together, with Christ's work in our lives including both the spiritual and the earthly manifestation of our faith.

Characteristics Values
Faith and works are not enemies They always go together
Faith and works are part of God's grace They are inseparable in true believers
Faith is not just an intellectual exercise It is a practical one
Works are not the basis of salvation They are evidence of salvation
Works are not equivalent They are conditional on meeting God's requirements
Works are not earning salvation They are taking advantage of God's gift
Works are not separate from heavenly reward They are active faith

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Faith and works are inseparable

The Bible makes it clear that faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26 states:

> "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ... Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

James also warns against a theoretical faith with no practical relevance, and gives examples from the lives of Abraham and Rahab to illustrate his point. In both cases, their faith in God was the origin and motivation for their actions, and there was no gap between their faith and their deeds.

Paul also teaches that justification and the gift of the Spirit are received by faith, rather than by works. However, he emphasizes that true faith will always lead to good works. He writes in Galatians 5:6 that it is "faith working through love" that matters in Christ.

The relationship between faith and works is often misunderstood, with some Christians devaluing good works as unholy, and some Jews assuming it is more about "deed than creed". However, this is a false dichotomy. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin—they are inseparable. Our obedient actions are an expression of our love for God, and while they cannot bring salvation, they can help bring God's kingdom to Earth and connect people to Him.

As Charles Spurgeon said, "Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God, and he that trusts God, obeys God."

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Faith without works is meaningless

Faith and works are two concepts that are often seen as opposing forces, with some arguing that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, while others emphasize the importance of good deeds. However, the Bible suggests that these two concepts are not mutually exclusive and, in fact, complement each other. The idea that "faith without works is meaningless" highlights this integral relationship between faith and works, and here are some paragraphs to elaborate on this:

The Inseparability of Faith and Works

The Bible, in James 2:14-26, emphasizes the inseparability of faith and works. James, the apostle, argues that faith in Christ and actions to serve others must always be united. He gives examples to illustrate that faith without deeds is dead and meaningless. For instance, he asks, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (James 2:14). James asserts that just as a body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds (James 2:26). This union between spiritual belief and earthly action is a key aspect of Christian teaching.

The Nature of Saving Faith

Saving faith is not merely intellectual assent or belief; it is a gift from God that leads to action. It is a dynamic force that unites believers intimately with Christ and necessitates obedience. This loyalty and commitment to Christ are what differentiate saving faith from mere belief. As Charles Spurgeon said, "Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God, and he that trusts God, obeys God." True saving faith will always result in good works as a natural expression of one's faith.

The Role of Works in Salvation

While faith is essential for salvation, works are not to be overlooked. Good works are the necessary evidence of salvation. They are the fruit and product of our new life in Jesus Christ. In other words, our obedient actions are an expression of our love for God and our faith in Him, and they help bring God's kingdom to earth and connect people to Him. This is further supported by Jesus' teachings, where he emphasizes the importance of faith but also highlights the necessity of good works for salvation. For example, Jesus teaches that only those who bear good fruit are truly saved (Mark 4:1-20) and that those who practice lawlessness will not enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21-23).

The Relationship Between Faith and Works

Faith and works are like two sides of the same coin. They are not opposing forces but rather complementary. Faith is the origin and foundation, while works are the completion and manifestation of that faith. As Peter H. Davids states, "Works are not an 'added extra' any more than breath is an 'added extra' to a living body." Our good works are an expression of our love for God and our faith in Him, and they help bring God's kingdom to earth and connect people to Him.

The Partnership Between God and Humans

In the Bible, we see a beautiful partnership between God and humans. God takes care of the impossible, while humans are responsible for the possible. For example, in the book of Acts, we see how God's power is at work, but it is through the obedient actions of the Apostles that miracles happen. Similarly, in the story of Cornelius, God sends an angel to commend his faith and works, but it is ultimately humans who are responsible for sharing the gospel. This partnership showcases the importance of both faith and works in our spiritual journey.

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Works without faith are dead

The Bible makes it clear that faith and works are not separate, and that one cannot exist without the other. In James 2:14-26, the Word of God teaches that faith in Christ and actions to serve others must be united indivisibly. James asks, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (James 2:14). He further states that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17).

The relationship between faith and works is a central theme in the Bible, and it is important to understand that they are not in opposition to each other. While salvation comes by faith in Christ alone, good works are the necessary evidence of that salvation (James 2:24). This means that true faith will always result in good works. As James 2:18-20 states, "You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove."

The book of Acts provides an example of this dynamic in action. In Acts 28:8, we read about Paul healing a man through prayer and the laying on of hands. While the healing power comes from God, the book of Acts highlights the importance of Paul's obedient actions, demonstrating that faith and works go hand in hand.

The concept of "dead faith" is mentioned by James, referring to a faith that is not accompanied by good works (James 2:26). This type of faith is considered useless and is not true saving faith. On the other hand, dynamic faith, characterized by responsive trust in God, leads to obedient actions that demonstrate our love for Him and our neighbour.

In conclusion, works without faith are indeed dead. Our obedient actions are an expression of our love for God, and they are a natural by-product of our faith and the implantation of the Holy Spirit within us. While good deeds cannot bring salvation, they are an essential part of our faith journey and help bring God's kingdom to earth.

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Works are a natural consequence of faith

Faith and works are two concepts that are often seen as opposing forces, but in reality, they are complementary and inseparable. This is evident in the Bible, where the relationship between faith and works is a central theme, and the idea that they are intertwined is clear.

Works are often seen as a natural consequence or outpouring of faith. True faith, as described in the Bible, is not just an intellectual exercise or a passive belief, but a dynamic and powerful force that leads to action. It is a belief that is so strong and all-encompassing that it cannot help but manifest in one's deeds and behaviour. This is the kind of faith that the Bible promotes and praises.

In the book of James, for example, it is written, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14). This passage highlights the importance of works as a demonstration of one's faith. It is not enough to simply claim to have faith; true faith will always lead to good works. James goes on to say, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). Here, he equates faith without works to a dead body, a powerful image that emphasises the necessity of works.

The Bible also provides examples of individuals whose faith led them to take action. Abraham, often referred to as the "father of faith", is one such example. His faith in God was so strong that it motivated him to take action and offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice (James 2:21). Rahab, a prostitute, is another example of someone whose faith led her to provide lodging for spies and send them in the right direction (James 2:25). In both these cases, their faith was the driving force behind their actions, and their works were a natural consequence of their faith.

The relationship between faith and works is also evident in the teachings of Jesus. He commends the faith of the centurion (Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10) and the sinful woman who anoints his feet with perfume (Luke 7:36–50). In both cases, their faith leads to an outpouring of love and action. Jesus also teaches that blessing belongs to those who mourn over their sins (Matthew 5:4), are humble (Matthew 5:5), and hunger for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). His meals with sinners and tax collectors (e.g. Matthew 9:9–13) further emphasise this point, as these gatherings signified social acceptance and forgiveness.

Paul, in his letters, also acknowledges the importance of works as a result of faith. He teaches that salvation comes by faith in Christ alone, but that this faith will inevitably lead to good works (Galatians 5:6). He writes, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

In conclusion, works are a natural consequence of faith. True faith is dynamic and powerful, leading believers to take action and demonstrate their faith through their deeds. This is evident in the Bible, where individuals like Abraham and Rahab acted on their faith, and in the teachings of Jesus and Paul, who emphasise the importance of faith leading to good works.

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Faith and works are complementary, not contradictory

Faith and works are not contradictory but complementary. This is a central question in biblical theology, and different understandings of the role of faith and works have historically divided Protestants and Roman Catholics.

The Bible teaches that salvation is received not on the basis of works but on the basis of faith in God alone. Jesus himself emphasizes this through many parables and sayings, and Paul argues explicitly against the inclusion of works in the basis of our salvation. However, this does not mean that works are not important.

James, for example, argues that justification is by works "and not by faith alone". This can be harmonized with the rest of the New Testament when we realize that James still expects us to sin—he is combatting faith without works, not faith alone as the basis of salvation. So, the entirety of the New Testament teaches that we are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies necessarily flowers into good works.

James uses the example of Abraham and Rahab to show that faith acted in conjunction with their works. Their faith in God originated and motivated their actions, not the other way around. There is no gap between their faith and their actions.

Paul also teaches that justification and the gift of the Spirit are received by faith instead of by works of law. However, he makes it clear that works are necessary for eternal life. For instance, Jesus teaches that those who refuse to forgive others will not be forgiven by God, and that only those who bear good fruit are truly saved.

The relationship between faith and works can be likened to a doctor giving two different patients two very different pieces of advice. To the first, the doctor says, "Stop moving around, you need to rest!" To the second, the doctor says, "Start moving, you need to exercise more!" The doctor is not contradicting himself. The first patient had knee surgery and needed rest. The second patient was having heart issues due to a sedentary lifestyle and needed to exercise.

In the same way, Paul and James are not contradicting each other. They are diagnosing and treating two different audiences. Paul is addressing those who think that works of law can bring justification, while James is addressing an audience who claims to have faith but is dead in sin.

Faith and works go hand in hand, and complement each other perfectly. Our obedient actions are our expression of love to God. Good deeds can never bring us salvation—only faith in God's provision can do that. But Spirit-filled righteous, generous, and kind acts can help bring God's kingdom to earth and connect people to Him.

Frequently asked questions

The Bible teaches that salvation is received not on the basis of works but on the basis of faith in God alone. Works are not an 'added extra' to faith but are a natural by-product of true faith. Faith and works are inseparable elements of Christ's saving work in our lives.

Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are dead. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. They are bonded together and complement each other.

Faith is believing and trusting in God. Works are the actions and efforts we make to please God. Works are our expression of love to God.

Faith and works are important because they demonstrate our love and obedience to God. They are how we proclaim the aroma of Christ to everyone around us. They are how we bring God's kingdom to earth and connect people to Him.

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