Faith and Works in Salvation

It is important to understand what faith is, since it is only “through faith” that someone can be saved (Rom. 3:22; 5:1, 2; Eph. 2:8). The word “faith” refers to a person’s belief. What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation?

Of course, knowledge of truth is an essential part of faith, since a person cannot believe in something unless he first knows about it. After all, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14) However, this is not the end of the story.

James asks a rhetorical question:

James 2:14 ESV What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

James was not saying that we are saved by faith plus good works. Rather, his point was that true saving faith in Jesus Christ is not just a mental acceptance of some truths. Rather, it also involves living in light of those truths.

A person’s faith dictates his manner of life. Nobody lives contrarily to what he truly believes. Hence, if a person truly believes in Jesus, then he will live out his faith by doing good works. James’ point is that a person can claim to have faith in Jesus all he wants, but if he does not do good works, then he must be lying. His faith is not real, and so he is not saved.