There is an apparent conflict between faith and works in the Bible. Paul taught that we are saved or made right with God by faith “apart from works.” (Romans 3:28) James, on the other hand, stressed that good works are necessary and actually prove the reality of our faith. (James 2:18) Is it possible to reconcile these two seemingly opposite views? Certainly, and it is not even difficult.
Paul meant that our faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross and in his resurrection makes us right with God, something keeping the Law could never do (Galatians 2:16), since we are unable to keep its requirements (Romans 8:3). In other words, Christ’s work on our behalf saves us, if we put our complete trust in him. Jesus confirmed this way of thinking by his response to a direct question.
Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." John 6:28-29 (NASB)
For Jesus (and us), putting one’s confidence and allegiance in him was a “work.” Faith in Christ requires that we follow him and his teachings. It means being radically committed to the kingdom of God. It is not mere intellectual assent or passive acknowledgement of his person and ministry. It is indeed a work because it produces something.
Faith resides in the heart and is manifested through our words and deeds.
Even Paul, the apostle of grace, acknowledged the necessity of the work of faith called verbal confession in order to be saved. He wrote…
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
The work of confessing Christ publicly testifies to or gives evidence of the reality of the faith that resides in our hearts.
A public confession of allegiance to Christ moves us beyond a “safe” and perhaps non-committal silent assent to a realm in which misunderstanding or persecution may follow.
Faith by its nature proves or reveals itself by its words and deeds.
But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:18-20 (NASB)
Simply confessing Christ is not sufficient, however, unless it is accompanied by a changed life.
Saying we believe is much easier than living out our faith.
Our churches are filled with professing Christians who show little demonstrable difference that Christ has made in their lives besides church attendance. How we live is the litmus test for what we actually believe. That is why Jesus warned us that we will be judged for what we say and do.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Matthew 16:27 (NASB)
The faith that saves us is based on Christ’s good works, not ours.
The faith that saves us requires that we take hold of Christ in our hearts, confess our allegiance to him with our mouths, and live accordingly as his disciples. Any breakdown in the sequence reveals that our supposed “faith” is counterfeit.
Jesus told his disciples that we will be judged for how we treat the “least of these my brethren” – the poor, sick, imprisoned, naked, and hungry… the marginalized, despised, and neglected members of society. (Matthew 25:31-46) Paul admonished the church to live in harmony with our confession of faith in Christ.
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. Titus 3:5-8 (NASB)
The early Christians were known for fearlessly confessing Christ in the face of persecution and serving the poor and the sick. What are we known for?
