Is Faith Enough to Save?

Brother Richie Juatco:  Many believe salvation is by faith alone. Now, are we saved by faith alone? Some have concluded that works, obedience, or righteous living have no role in salvation at all. But where is that written in the Bible? Because if faith alone is all that’s required, does that mean that the rest of the Bible, its commandments, its instruction for holy living, no longer matter? Or perhaps many have misunderstood the Bible’s teachings and have jumped to the wrong conclusion. 

Stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today, here on The Message. 

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Faith Alone Enough to Save?

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The Message

Brother Richie Juatco:  Hi. Thanks for joining us. I’m Brother Richie Juatco. 

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Brother Mark Vasquez
Minister of the Gospel

Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel

Brother Mark Vasquez: And I’m Brother Mark Vasquez. 

Since the Bible is the word of God, every word has a purpose. So would God fill the pages of the Holy Scriptures with guidance, correction, and moral instruction if none of it affects our salvation? Of course not. So where did those who believe salvation can be attained by faith alone, without works, where did they get the idea that that teaching is written in the Bible? 

People misunderstand the Bible and think faith alone can save [01:11]

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Why do some people think faith alone is enough?

Brother Richie: You know many who believe this, they refer to what’s written in Ephesians 2:8-9,  but what is actually stated in those verses? Let’s read it. We’ll read what it says here. It says, 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 New International Version

Brother Richie: Here the Bible teaches, “by grace you have been saved.” What does that mean, that you have been saved by grace? We read, “it is the gift of God.” Now, because being saved is the gift of God, how does one obtain the gift of salvation? We read “through faith.” 

Brother Mark: But how does the Bible clarify how we could receive this gracious gift? 

Brother Richie: Well, we did read that “this is not from yourselves, [this] is the gift of God— not by works.” 

Brother Mark: So why is it that we can’t just do our own works for us to be saved? 

Brother Richie: Well, because the Bible says, “so that no one can boast.” 

Brother Mark: So when people read these verses, how do they personally interpret these things? 

Brother Richie: Many have taken the Bible’s teaching that you are saved by faith and not works to mean all works. There are those who believe that the word ‘works’ refers to everything and anything. That is why they conclude that faith alone is all that is required to be saved. 

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

Brother Mark: If you think about it, Brother Richie, and to also our viewers, it’s a quite convenient form of religion to believe that way—no need to do anything—no requirements, no responsibilities, no accountability, no restrictions. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. And in fact, if people decide to personally interpret these two verses to mean no work is needed—you only need to have faith—then what do we do with the rest of the verses of the Bible? 

The Bible teaches that man cannot be saved by faith alone [03:21]

Brother Mark: Maybe we should just put the Bible aside and not listen to it anymore. Is that what we should do, Brother Richie? 

Brother Richie: You know, that would be a very risky thing to do, because what’s at stake here is salvation. If what is on the line is to be saved, we can’t make the wrong conclusion. Making the wrong conclusion will result in the opposite of salvation—which is everlasting destruction. 

Brother Mark: So what is it that we can discover if we keep learning what’s in the Bible? What does the Bible teach in terms of working to attain our salvation? 

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What does the Bible teach about works and salvation?

Brother Richie: So I think that’s a good strategy. Let’s keep learning. Let’s find out what else is written in the Bible. We’ll read from what’s recorded in the Book of James, chapter 2 and the verse is 24. It says, 

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
James 2:24 New King James Version

Brother Richie: Here, we learn in this verse, that the Bible directly goes against the misconception that no work is needed to be saved, but rather faith only. What is the biblical truth about a person being justified to receive God’s grace? We read, “that a man is justified by works.” What does the Bible clarify so that there’s no confusion? We read, “and not by faith only.” 

Brother Mark: We want to make it clear to those joining us that the contradiction is not in the verses of the Bible, but rather in the incorrect interpretation that many have made and followed. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. These two verse readings prove that the word ‘works’ does not mean all the same thing. In regards to salvation, there are works that are needed and there are works that are useless. Brother Mark, when it comes to attaining salvation, what is the work that is useless or has no value? 

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

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What works are considered useless for salvation?

Brother Mark: Let’s read which work is useless according to the Scriptures. We’ll read that together in the Book of Colossians. We’ll read 2:22 until verse 23,

These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Colossians 2:22-23 New International Version

Brother Mark: Here the Bible mentions, “Such regulations.” And how are they described? We read “indeed have an appearance of wisdom.” But what’s the problem with them? We read, “they lack any value.” What types of rules and regulations have no value or are useless? These are the works that the Bible said “are based on merely human commands and teachings.” 

Brother Richie: Now it needs to be understood that human commands and teachings are any teachings that are not in the Bible. Now, the Bible contains God’s teachings and His commands. Thus, anything outside of the Bible has been made up by people. Therefore, if the works or actions people do, in order to be righteous, are merely from their own made up rules, what they feel in their hearts or personally interpret, then that is useless in attaining God’s saving grace. 

The danger of man-made Christianity [06:31]

Now why are we so sure? You know, Brother Mark, if someone asks, “Well, why can’t I worship God my own way?” How would the Bible respond to that? 

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Can we worship God in our own way?

Brother Mark: Let’s see what the Bible says to those who feel like they want to worship the Lord God how they feel is right. Let’s read in Matthew, 15, and then we’ll read in verse 9, it says this,

It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!’”
Matthew 15:9 Good News Translation

Brother Mark: Here, although God notices people worshiping Him, what did He make clear? He said, “It is no use for them to worship me.” Notice that God is the One who categorized their worship as useless. This proves that not all worship is acceptable to the Lord God.

Brother Richie: Now we emphasize this because there are people who have the mistaken belief that just as long as you are worshiping God, it’s like the same belief that just as long as you have faith, then God is happy and will accept you and your worship. But we’re learning that there is a work and a worship that is useless to God. Why does God not accept their worship or their  devotion? 

Brother Mark: The Lord God explains, “because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!” 

Brother Richie: So people who claim that they are teaching the Bible’s teachings about faith and religion, yet are not actually using the Bible as their basis, or they’re misinterpreting the Bible’s message, those people are just simply making up their own rules to follow. 

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

Brother Mark: That’s true. And those who make up their own way to be righteous would be self-righteous and would boast about the wrong things. 

Brother Richie: Now, brother Mark, is there something to boast about according to God? 

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What is acceptable to boast about?

Brother Mark: Let’s read what the Bible teaches us, what we should boast about. We’ll read that together in the Book of Jeremiah. We’ll read 9:23 until verse 24,  

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong boast of their strength, or the rich boast of their riches. But let the one who boasts boast about this, that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, …
[Jeremiah 9:23-24 New International Version]

Brother Mark: Here the Lord God clarifies what people should and should not boast about. What does God prohibit people to boast about? Well, God said here, “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.” 

Brother Richie: Therefore, according to God, what comes from them or what comes from people is nothing to boast about. No one can boast to God about their wisdom, strength, or riches, because all things come from Him, just like no one can come up with their own way of being righteous and then boast about it when it’s accomplished. What does God allow people to boast about?

Brother Mark: The Lord God commanded here, “let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD.” Therefore, knowing God is worthy of boasting of or being proud of.

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, is there any work involved in knowing God, which leads to salvation? 

Brother Mark: Yes, there is work. 

The type of work needed to be saved [10:00]

Brother Richie: So what is that work? What is the work that needs to be accomplished in order to be worthy of attaining salvation and proving to know God? 

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Which work proves we truly know God?

Brother Mark: Let’s read that here in the Book of I Corinthians. We’ll read I Corinthians 15, we’ll read in verse 58,

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58 New International Version

Brother Mark: Here the Bible teaches regarding “the work of the Lord.” This is not work that just anyone can make up, or do merely because they feel it’s good to do, or the right thing to do.

Brother Richie: Now, Brother Mark, how important is it to accomplish that work—the work of the Lord?

Brother Mark: The Bible told us here. “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” Although some teach that works are not necessary, what does the Bible clarify about working for the Lord? We read, “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

Brother Richie: Now, because of this, what are we taught by the apostles, to protect us from wrong beliefs and teachings of those that don’t understand the biblical truth?

Brother Mark: Well, we read here, “my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.” 

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

Brother Richie: Therefore, we should never allow anyone to persuade us to believe that the work of the Lord is useless or in vain. It is God’s work for us that we should focus on accomplishing, in order to be worthy of salvation. 

Brother Mark: So since we learned, Brother Richie, that that’s very important for us, where can we find God’s work for us that leads to become worthy of salvation? 

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What work makes us worthy of salvation?

Brother Richie: We can find it from what’s written here in the Book of Romans, chapter 7, the verse is 12. It says here, 

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
Romans 7:12 New International Version

Brother Richie: So based on what we read, God’s work for us to accomplish is His laws or His commandments written in the Bible. Now what are the qualities of God’s commandment? We read, “the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” Therefore what is truly good and righteous is not relative to what people think and feel, but rather whatever God deems right, written in the Bible. 

Brother Mark: Thus, by focusing on God’s commands, we will be able to be truly good, holy and righteous. 

Brother Richie: That’s correct. Not self righteous, but rather truly righteous in the sight of God. 

Our obedience reveals whether we truly know God  [12:49]

Brother Mark: But you know, Brother Richie, there are those who argue, the ones who think that works aren’t necessary, that faith alone is what we need, they argue that God Himself is the One who said that one who boasts should simply boast that they have the understanding to know God. So all one needs to do is truly know God. 

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Can we truly know God without action?

Brother Richie: That’s true. But is it possible to truly know God without any work involved? Let’s find out from what’s recorded in I John, 2  the verse is 3. Here it says, 

If we obey God’s commands, then we are sure that we know him.
I John 2:3 Good News Translation

Brother Richie: Here, the Bible clarifies evidence people need to prove that they know God.

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

Brother Mark: Why is evidence necessary in this part?

Brother Richie: Well, evidence is necessary because it’s so easy to claim to know God, and many people do. Many people say that they know God, because they say so. They feel it. They say that I know God because I do this, or I do that, or whatever else that they make up. But what does the Bible teach? We read, “we are sure that we know him.” 

Brother Mark: How can we prove that we know Him? 

Brother Richie: It says, “If,” right, so that’s the conditional part—”If we obey God’s commands.” Therefore, obedience to God’s commands is the necessary work to prove that we know God, which will actually lead to salvation. 

Brother Mark: We are aware that there are people who, despite hearing these biblical verses, they’ll still insist that their faith alone, dependent on what they do or any type of work, they believe that that will lead them to gain God’s grace of salvation. But, Brother Richie, and to our viewers, how does the Bible describe faith—faith with and faith without works? 

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How does the Bible describe faith with works and faith without works?

Brother Richie: Let’s go to what’s recorded in the Book of James. We’ll read from chapter 2, we’ll read verses 14, we’ll also read verse 22. And it says this,

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:14 & 22 New King James Version

Brother Richie: Here the Bible clarifies the value of faith with works and without works. What are the rhetorical questions Apostle James poses? He first asks, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” So the answer is stated in the question. There is no value, there is no profit, there is no benefit for a person to say they have faith, but they don’t have any works. 

Brother Mark: Why no benefit? 

Brother Richie: Well, Apostle James again asks, “Can faith save him?” So he shows that faith alone is useless, because it cannot save a person.

Brother Mark: So how did he show the importance of having faith with works?

Brother Richie: Well, he said “faith… together with his works.” Now, how did he describe that type of faith? He said “that faith was working.” Therefore, this is the valuable or beneficial faith to have. 

Brother Mark: So how did the Bible describe those who have this kind of faith—faith with works—when it’s coupled with the works that the Bible is commanding us to have?

Brother Richie: We read, “by works faith was made perfect.” Therefore faith and works, they’re not supposed to be independent of each other, but rather coupled together in order to attain salvation. 

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Is Faith Alone Enough to Save?

Brother Mark: The faith and works that are needed are the faith and works that the Bible teaches us to have. We specify this because in our study today, we learned that there are different types of works that the Bible teaches in regards to attaining salvation.

Brother Richie: That’s right, like works that are needed, right? Works of the Lord, which are His commands written in the Bible for us to obey and prove our faith, and works that are useless, right? Based on what other people have made up for themselves and what they want others to follow. 

Brother Mark: And in the same way that there are two types of works, it’s the same thing with faith. Not all types of faith are the same either. 

Brother Richie: That’s right. There’s a faith that is needed, right? Faith based on the Bible and proven by fulfilling God’s works and His commands for His people to obey. And faith that is false, right? Any belief that is contrary or opposite to what the Bible teaches, kind of like the belief that faith alone is enough to be saved.

Brother Mark: So, Brother Richie, once someone has this proper understanding, what’s the instruction of the apostles to those in regarding how to attain salvation? 

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What did the apostles teach about attaining salvation?

Brother Richie: Let’s read from what they teach here in Philippians. We’ll read from chapter 2, verse 12. What is it that, Apostle Paul tells the members of the Church, 

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation,
Philippians 2:12 Good News Translation

Brother Richie: According to Apostle Paul, who are the ones that he is addressing? He was talking to those who “always obeyed.” So these are not the people who believe that faith alone is all that is required. 

Brother Mark: So what is his instruction to those who understand the value of obeying God’s teachings? 

Brother Richie: Apostle Paul said, “Keep on working.” Now why is it important for those in the true faith to keep on working or obeying God’s teachings that the apostles taught? He said, “to complete your salvation.” This is the same faith of the members of the Church Of Christ today. 

Brother Mark: For those hearing this for the first time, we encourage you to keep learning more of God’s written words taught here inside the Church Of Christ. Come visit a congregation near you. Or if you want, ask us a question now, by clicking the link in the description and inquire how to listen to the basic teachings of the Bible. 

Brother Richie: Now, if you’re already going through those lessons, or wherever you are in your spiritual journey, make sure that your journey does not stop here. Keep watching and growing with us, and stay constantly tuned in to The Message.

From all of us here at The Message, we thank you for joining us in this episode. But before we conclude, please join us for a short prayer.

Brother Mark: Our loving Father in Heaven, thank You very much for this wonderful opportunity. We have received Your words of truth. And it is clear to us, Father, what You want us to do, to not simply just have faith in You, but You also want us to obey Your holy commands. So may it be that You bless all of our viewers. May it be that all of us are all the more encouraged to not only have faith in Your words of truth, but also put these into practice and to put Your will even above our own. 

Especially if there are those who feel like they are so dedicated and they love You so much, may it be that You move them into action, so that more people will take the steps that are necessary to serve You in the way that You expect, to become members of the Church Of Christ, and to be able to serve You in this capacity. May it be, dear Father, if there are any obstacles, You take these away from all of us, and help us to all the more, be closer unto You.

Our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we also have faith in You. We have faith in Your words as well. Please, Lord Jesus, continue to help us so that the Father will listen to our prayers. Please mediate on our behalf, and teach us always to be humble and obedient like You.

Father in heaven, we have faith that you will bless us all. You will bless above us the Church Administration, and may it be we always stay united with them.

We pray these things, loving Father, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

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