Salvation by Faith “Alone?” (3)
Tim Haile
Tim Haile
Many faith-alone advocates hold their position due to a misunderstanding of the meaning of faith. The faith that is held by many is inactive. It is confined to man’s thoughts and measured by his feelings. However, Bible faith is active and obedient. Let us consider some samples of genuine faith. These examples are given by the Holy Spirit, and are provided to illustrate the nature of real, God-approved faith. I refer to Hebrews chapter 11, which lists several men and women who lived by faith. In describing the actions and conduct of various people of God, the Holy Spirit described them by the words “By faith…” It is well worth considering that these familiar words are often followed by some action that was taken, or activity that was performed by the person being commended for his faith.
By faith Abel offered a sacrifice (Heb. 11:4)
By faith Noah prepared an ark (Heb. 11:7)
By faith Abraham obeyed (Heb. 11:8)
By faith Abraham offered up Isaac (Heb. 11:17)
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed (marched) about seven days (Heb. 11:30)
Several more examples could be cited from this chapter, but these suffice to make the point. People were commended for their faith when they were commended for what they did by faith! True faith involves action and obedience.
Though the connection is real, many people have difficulty harmonizing faith and works. The Holy Spirit had no such difficulty. The inspired writer, James, cited two examples of justification by works: Abraham (James 2:21) and Rahab (James 2:25). Please consider the actual verses: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (Jas. 2:21). “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (Jas. 2:25).
With these plain statements in mind, consider that the Hebrew writer attributed their justification to faith (Heb. 11:8-19, 31). Harmony between Hebrews and James is only found when we dismiss the false notions of men and their creeds, and focus exclusively upon the teaching of the Scriptures. Harmony is seen when we combine the faith with the works, which is exactly what Hebrews and James do. To really appreciate this harmony let us consider the entire context of James 2:20-26:
(20): But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (21): Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22): Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (23): 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. (24): Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (25): Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (26): For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Interestingly, James 2:24 is the only place in the Bible where the words “faith” and “only” are used together and in that order, and James here affirms that salvation is “not by faith only”! Salvation is the result of a combination of faith and works. Faith without works is dead. Dead faith is an empty, meaningless, worthless faith. Such faith “avails” nothing. To the saints of Galatia, Paul wrote, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). Paul’s statement seams together three great Bible doctrines – faith, works and love, and attributes salvation to a combination of them all, and to neither by itself. Abraham and Rahab were justified by faith AND works, not by either one of them alone.
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