Faith and Works

By  Ju.  Georgeff 

1.) Definition of Faith:

What is faith? There are two quite different definitions of this term. The first is the definition that most of the world thinks of when the word is used. To them it is the act of believing in something without any evidence to support the belief. It is a fact merely “accepted by faith”. The second definition is the one which the Bible espouses. Faith is, according to the Bible, the act of believing in the promise or word of God. Do you see the difference? Biblical faith is believing in the word of God. The faith Christians have in God is similar to the faith of a jury in the word of a witness, except that in this case the Person in whom the faith is placed is completely reliable. In the so-called “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 1,1 faith is always seen as being in the Person of God. The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament (aman) makes this case very strongly. It describes someone or something reliable or trustworthy. It is interesting to note that the English language agrees with this view of faith. Webster defines faith as: “Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth.” So Biblical faith is radically different than the world sees it because it is grounded in the trustworthy character of God.

2.) Definition of Works:

What are works? The term works, like faith has several definitions. When we speak of works in the context of the Bible we mean specifically good deeds, not just any action but only those that line up with the Bible's definition of good. What often comes to mind are the 10 Commandments. These are great examples of “good works” in both man's view and God's. In God's mind good works are only those things that come from a right view of His character as seen in the Bible and revealed in Christ. The world today views good works in a much more general way. They see them as anything that is considered kind, for the benefit of others, or anything selfless based on their own standard. This standard is based on either their own opinion or the opinion of their society and culture. But as we have seen, in God's eyes only those things which come from the character of God are considered good. God is the standard of all good works.

3.) Salvation is a Result of Faith.

When it comes to the Christian doctrine of Salvation (being saved from the penalty of sin) the way of attaining it is only through faith. It is wholly apart from works of any kind. We must not, and ultimately cannot, work for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) states “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” So we see that faith is God's appointed way of granting salvation, not works. It is, according to our definition of faith, a belief or trust in the promise or word of God regarding salvation. I simply believe in God's promise to give me salvation on His terms. Yet, it is not simply mental assent to the facts, for even the demons give assent to the facts. (James 2:19) It is the resting and placing of one’s confidence in the work that God has promised to do. In this way God is the one who receives all the credit for salvation. So what do works have to do with salvation then? Can we live our lives as we please once we have believed God's promises?

4.) Works are a Result of Salvation.

We see in several passages and generally throughout the Bible that works are a very necessary part of the Christian life.  However, they are not for the purpose of attaining salvation from God. The Bible teaches that works are a product of salvation, which we now know comes through faith. Do you see the difference? Faith is the seed that produces the tree from which the fruit, that is good works, grows. The lack of fruit in the Christian life is simply proof of the lack of faith. (James 2:17) John Calvin, the great reformer, states this very well when he says “Faith alone saves, but the type of faith that saves is not alone.” The rest of the Ephesians passage quoted earlier states “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).  We were created “for good works”. Good works are an addition to salvation not a requirement for gaining it or for keeping it. So we see that faith = salvation + works, not faith + works = salvation.

5.) Works and Faith are From God and For God.

In closing we see in scripture that the origin and purpose of all faith and in all works is God, not us. In our faith God is glorified because of our dependence on Him. (Ephesians 1:12) In good works He is glorified because they are only a result of His action in us. (Ephesians 2:10 - “we are his workmanship”) So we can see that God is both the source of faith and good works (He is the creator of them in us) and that He is the reason for faith and good works (He gets the glory for them all). Man has nothing to do with it other than to be the recipient of God's gracious gifts. God has engineered it so that He himself is the focus, He gets the glory and man is given the privilege to be a part of this. And incidentally it is only in fulfilling this purpose that fulfillment is found in this life. Oh may we see our purpose and delight in it!

Soli Deo Gloria