Saved by Faith to Do Good Works
ICS Daily Devotions

James 2:18 (NKJV) But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Have you ever heard someone question a person’s salvation because their lifestyle is no different from the people of the world? Is it a valid way to tell whether someone has truly been saved?

Much ink has been spilt by scholars over the Apostle Paul’s theology (Romans 5:1-2) versus the Apostle James’ position regarding whether one is saved by grace alone or faith with works. Salvation is indeed by grace through faith, but our lifestyle should change as we grow in the Lord, our minds are renewed with the Word of God, and we adopt a Christian worldview. Therefore, there is no conflict between the Apostle Paul’s theology and the Apostle James’ advocacy of a change in the worldview and lifestyle of a believer. In short, we do not work to get saved but are saved to do good works.

James 2:23 (NKJV) And the scripture was fulfilled, which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

Abraham’s imputed righteousness before God is based on his faith in God’s work. Just as Abraham believed that God could raise Isaac even if he offered him up to God as a sacrifice, Abraham believed in the resurrection of Christ. Abraham offered up his only son, just like God offered up His Son, Jesus Christ. Abraham’s act on Mount Moriah mirrored the work of God, where Jesus was crucified at Golgotha.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Likewise, we are also required to believe in the atonement work of Jesus Christ to be saved. Therefore, the key to having saving faith is believing in our hearts that God has raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with our mouths that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour. Because we know we are spiritually bankrupt and lack the ability to stand right before God, we believe and have faith in the gospel. Acknowledging through the word of confession comes after we believe in the heart. Therefore, even if someone is physically unable to confess with their mouth, and those on their deathbeds might not have time to show forth any fruit of righteousness, we can be assured that they were saved nonetheless when they believed in their hearts. This is their confidence in God because their salvation must be purely by grace through faith.

Sermon Series: Faith with works