Is salvation by works or faith plus works or faith alone?

This is an important question which must be answered biblically, and every other extra-biblical teaching must be rejected. There is a lot of confusion and uncertainty even among certain brethren, whether salvation can be obtained by amalgam of faith and works. The above question was the primary cause for the protestant reformation. The Roman Catholic Church taught and still teaches that salvation can be received by faith in Christ, and adhering to certain rituals before a person can be saved. Their view concerning salvation is in antithesis to what the bible really teaches about salvation, and that led to the protestant reformation. Their unbiblical teaching led to a major theological revolution around the world. Reformers like Martin Luther who is considered as the father of the protestant reformation, John Calvin, Zwingli, and more came out from the Roman Catholic Church. To answer such a question, it is incumbent on us to delve deeper into the scriptures to see what the bible really teaches respecting this all important question.

 Is salvation by works?

Salvation by works is a predominant view among certain religions. Proponents of this view believe they can be saved by their own merits. Those who rely on their self righteousness to gain access into heaven do not see the depth of their own sinfulness. Adam sin made all of us sinners by nature (Romans 3; 23). All our self righteousness were tainted with sin and God sees it as filthy rags before him (Isaiah 64; 6) No amount of good works could render God favorable to us and save us for himself. Those who depend on their work based righteousness for salvation will be disappointed on that day. Salvation cannot be received by works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 3; 5). Some people are pious outwardly and they are working earnestly to make sure that their supposed good deeds outweighs their bad deeds in order to gain admission into heaven. Their efforts are futile, because salvation cannot be attained by works, for God has designed salvation in a way and manner, that a person can only be saved by his grace. Others also claim they can be saved by their strict observance of the ten commandments, but the bible teaches otherwise.

 No man can be saved by the works of the law, for it is written: Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3: 20). The function of the law is to make you conscious of sin and not as a means of justification. Jesus Christ has already paid the price for the salvation of all those who will ever trust in him. Salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ, and all the benefits of his salvific work will be credited into the account of the one who believes. There is no man in history who was or will ever be saved on account of his own righteousness, because if salvation is by works, then there was no need for the incarnation and death of the Son of God, then it means he died for nothing (Galatians 2; 21). Salvation is not on the basis of works, but on the basis of grace through faith in the dead and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10; 8-13)

Is salvation faith plus works?

Some believe faith in Jesus Christ is not enough for salvation, therefore there is the need to add some works to it before one can be saved. To teach that salvation is by faith plus works is to dishonor Christ himself and his finished work. There is no scripture examined in context that leads to the conclusion that faith plus works equals salvation. When the Philippian Jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved? Paul did not tell him to believe and be baptized or to believe and pay his tithe or believe and join a community of faith before he could be saved. This is what Paul said to him: and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household"(Acts 16: 30-31). The only requirement for his salvation was to believe, no works attached. Salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, is ubiquitous throughout the pages of the bible. 

Works are not the cause of our salvation, but they are the evidence of our salvation. True faith in Christ for salvation will manifest itself in good works. Good works are the fruits of your faith in the Lord Jesus and not the efficient cause of salvation. When we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, we will walk in good works because of the presence of the holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit in us works on us and empowers us to be zealous for good works. You cannot claim to have true faith in Christ when there is no evidence of a changed life, for faith without works is dead being alone. Abraham our father was declared righteous by faith, but his faith was shown to be true, when he offered up his only begotten Son on the altar in obedience to the voice of God:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God (James 2: 21-23). Abraham was saved by grace through faith in Christ, but his faith was proven to be genuine by his good work. After the apostle wrote that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2; 8-9) and in the next verse he wrote: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). God saved us by his grace for good works and these good works he has foreordained that we should walk in them. Faith plus performing certain good works does not equal salvation, but goods works are the results of true faith in Christ Jesus.

Is salvation by faith alone?

The ubiquity of salvation by faith in the bible is amazing. Both the old testament and the new testament convey the same truth, that the only way a sinner can be made right with God is by faith. Abraham was declared righteous in the sight of God by faith, see (Genesis 15; 6). David was also justified not by works of righteousness, but through faith: But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works (Romans 4: 5-6). The prophet Habakkuk also wrote down these words: But the righteous will live by his faith (Habakkuk 2: 4). The old testament saints were saved by grace through faith and not by works. The new testament also teaches the same truth, that the way of salvation is by faith alone in the person of Jesus Christ. Justification is by faith and not by works, see (Romans 5; 1).

 Let us look at some of the scriptures in the light of the new testament which argues for salvation by faith alone: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3: 16). In the book of Romans, it is written: For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Romans 3; 28). In the book of Ephesians: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2: 8-9). In the book of John: Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent (John 6; 29). The truth that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone is an absolute truth, which distinguishes biblical Christianity from all others. God bless you

           A thought to ponder 🤔 

 There is no man in history who was or will ever be saved on account of his own righteousness, because if salvation is by works, then there was no need for the incarnation and death of the Son of God, then it means he died for nothing

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