The Bible makes it crystal clear that we cannot be saved from our sins without faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8). By “faith” or “belief” Scripture means a willingness to completely trust in Christ joined with obedience to His word (cf. Matt. 7:21-29; Gal. 5:6; Heb. 11:6-8). Unfortunately, many preachers and churches have gone beyond this simple truth and taught that we are saved by “faith alone.” By this, they mean that once one believes in Christ, he is at that very moment a child of God without any further acts of obedience.

This doctrine is simply not taught in the Bible. In fact, it is a contradiction of the Bible. In the first place, it rests upon a false definition of faith that separates belief from obedience. But in James 2:14-26, we learn that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). In this powerful text on true saving faith, James teaches us that faith without works is unable to save (v. 14), profitless (v. 15-16), dead (v. 17, 20, 26), illogical (v. 18), demonic (v. 19), and incomplete (v. 22). James used Abraham and Rahab to show us how we are saved by an obedient faith (v. 21-25). He concluded, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (v. 24).

Salvation is “not by faith only”! Why then do many contradict God’s word and teach it is by faith alone? The truth is that while faith is essential to our salvation, it must lead us to repentance of our sins, confession of Christ, and baptism in water “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9-10). Do you need to obey the true gospel plan of salvation? Why not let us help you today?

By Travis L. Quertermous