Is one saved by faith alone or by faith and obedience?
But what is saving faith? Is man passive in regeneration, as some affirm? Does mentally believing in Jesus Christ, and doing nothing else, bring salvation?
Faith Makes Salvation Possible
How Faith Saved Noah
In like manner, faith saves the sinner. Of course, he must first accept what Christ did for him at Calvary, for upon this expiatory sacrifice the whole plan of salvation is based. But the sinner’s faith in what Christ did—his belief in the promise of salvation if and when he meets the terms of the gospel—leads him to obedience, and this obedient faith brings salvation.
How a Jailer Was Saved
How then, did this jailer’s faith bring him salvation? It did so by leading him to meet the conditions of the gospel. Faith and obedience worked together, and he was saved.
Confession Must Accompany Faith
Prayer Must Accompany Faith
Faith and Obedience
There is no contradiction between Ephesians 2:8, which says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith,” and James 2:24, which declares, “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” The latter statement is certainly true when “works” means acts of obedience to the terms of the gospel. Only those who have “the obedience of faith”—those who obey the doctrine, obey the gospel, obey Christ—will be saved. (See Romans 6:17, 10:16, 16:26; Hebrews 5:9).
Saving faith leads a person to obey the gospel, and such obedience faith brings salvation.
By ALC