Are Christians saved by faith or by works?
By moogfooger
@moogfooger (658)
United States
November 4, 2006 8:21pm CST
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
or
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
2 people like this
11 responses
@jonas_71ss (174)
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)
7 Nov 06
Faith in Christ is what saves you. Your good works are evidence of the transformation that salvation has made in your own life.
2 people like this
@joynatarajan (335)
• India
5 Nov 06
An explanation of those scriptures:
1. There are many people who do great works but do not have faith... this will not save them.
2. There are still others who might have a form of faith... they might believe... but this is not backed up by works... such as living their lives in line with their faith.
3. Faith and works go hand in hand. A person with strong faith will seek to manifest his faith by works.
1 person likes this
@livingfree737 (37)
• United States
9 Nov 06
Yeah, I was going to comment and explain, but this girl explained it perfectly...
@FraYFaN09 (1558)
• United States
8 Nov 06
U are saved by ur faith in Jesus Christ but when u accept Jesus as your Savior, works naturally come through ur faith. So pretty much James is saying that if u don't show ur faith through ur works ur not really saved.
@hellparadiso (358)
• United States
7 Nov 06
I don't think Christians are saved by either faith or works. I think they're saved by personal responsibility. See, if you can accept responsibility for the things you've done, good or bad, faithful or not, then you can accept God's forgiveness. I personally believe that the only thing that keeps people out of heaven is their inability to accept forgiveness, because accepting forgiveness means admitting that you did something wrong. It's the most difficult thing a person can do, owning up to their own choices and actions.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
7 Nov 06
Interesting viewpoint here. I like the way you put things into perspective.
@worker65 (160)
• New Zealand
8 Nov 06
How does this apply to someone who admits what they have done but does not believe they should be forgiven?
@BROWNEYEZ (447)
• United States
7 Nov 06
YOU JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION....YOU NEVER CAN MAKE IT TO HEAVEN BY GOOD WORKS...YOU BELEIF AND FAITH IS THE ONLY WAY
@moogfooger (658)
• United States
7 Nov 06
Use your inside voice. Take the caps lock off.
I didn't just answer the question.
James 2:14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
@chamberd1 (240)
• United States
8 Nov 06
This is not a good question since you spend so much time in front of preachers. You would have surelly heard them quote Jesus telling us that we would not be judged by faith alone.
@moogfooger (658)
• United States
8 Nov 06
Spend so much time in front of preachers? What are you talking about?
@dklowery (35)
• United States
8 Nov 06
One can NOT be saved by doing good works.
Those that think doing good deeds will save you, God says:
Luke 13:27
But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’
We are sinners saved by Grace, and unless you Believe (Have Faith), and confess of your sin, and seek forgiveness, you are not saved.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Clearly stated that if you believe in Jesus (not being good).
Also in John 3:5 it states
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
This is a clear indication that unless we have accepted the Lord and been cleansed, we can NOT enter the Kingdom of God.
Notice it does NOT say that unless you do good works, it says that unless you believe, and have faith.
God Bless,
