Faith Without Works Is Dead
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 reverberate through James 2, which proclaims four times that “faith without works is dead.” So, if the Bible makes it clear that works are an essential and necessary part of the equation, why do so many Protestants alive today believe that faith in Jesus Christ is all that is needed for salvation?
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The Protestant Reformers and their pre-Reformation predecessors were not infallible. One example of theological error was the belief that many held in the concept of sola fide, meaning “faith alone.” Sola fide holds that faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation—if you believe in him, you will receive eternal life—nothing else is required. The theory is heavily reliant on Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:8-9.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
However, Ephesians 2:8-9 sets faith in Jesus as the minimum standard for salvation; it does not eliminate works as a contributing factor. These verses explain that God’s grace allows those of us who have faith in Jesus to receive eternal life. Without the combination of his grace and our faith, we cannot be saved, no matter how good of a person we are. Paul was not saying faith alone will get us into Heaven—he was saying works alone will not.
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Sola fide contradicts the Bible in several ways. In I Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21, Paul wrote that many actions could disqualify us from Heaven. If works were not a part of the criteria to get into Heaven, why would they keep us out? Paul gave us these two lists of works Christians must avoid so we could “inherit the kingdom of God.” Those who fall into these categories of sinners may believe in Jesus Christ, but according to Paul, their sins will prohibit them from reaching Heaven.
I Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
If doctrinally correct, sola fide would be a free pass to sin. People could commit any sin they want and still reach Heaven if they believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins. This is not how God wants his followers to behave. The epistle of James plainly declares that “faith without works is dead.” This means those who believe in Jesus must also act in a way that glorifies God to receive eternal life.
James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Also, what is the purpose of judgment day if works are not considered? If all God needs to determine is whether we believe in Jesus Christ, what is he judging? Many examples are found throughout the New Testament of works being judged by God,[1] and when John saw his vision of three angels in Revelation 14, the third angel explained that the works of those who died in Christ would follow them.[2] The things we do during our time on earth—both good and bad—will be judged by God. If sola fide is correct, murderers and thieves who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God would still be granted eternal life despite their immorality. For this reason, faith in Christ does not provide believers the freedom to sin.
In Matthew 19, a rich man asks Jesus how he could receive eternal life. In response, Jesus says he needs to follow God’s commands. When the man presses for specifics, Jesus lists four sins and two good works as examples.
Matthew 19:16-19
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
These are some of the commandments against which our lives will be measured by God. After Jesus provided his advice, the man claimed he had followed God’s directives since childhood. He then asked, “What lack I yet?”
Matthew 19:21-24
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
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Here was a wealthy young man who believed in Jesus and had kept God’s commandments since childhood. Despite his faith and adherence to God’s instructions, he was used as an example of how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter Heaven. For all the sins he avoided, he was not fully committed to Jesus, as his wealth prevented him from helping the poor. As James wrote, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” It was his inability to accumulate treasures in Heaven by giving to those who needed help that prevented this rich man from being worthy of salvation. The story reaffirms Jesus’ eloquent guidance in the prior chapter, when he said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”[3]
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God does not expect us to sell all our possessions. The concept of tithing originated in the Old Testament books of Genesis and Leviticus. A tithe was generally measured as one-tenth of a person’s agricultural output, though it could be applied to other assets.[4] Melchizedek, the priest and king of Salem, blessed Abraham in Genesis 14. As a thanks for his blessing, Abraham gave him a tithe of all his spoils from battle.[5] Separately, after receiving a blessing from God in Genesis 28, Jacob promised him one-tenth of his possessions.[6]
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In Mosaic law, tithes went to the priests of the Temple. However, the New Testament does not clarify whether tithes must go to churches under the New Covenant or can be given to other good causes that advance God’s will, such as helping the poor, the widowed, and orphans.[7]
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Whether God intended for tithes to be given to the modern church or used for any works that glorify him, there is no limitation on giving above the ten percent threshold of tithes, just like the advice Jesus gave to the rich man. In II Corinthians 9:7, Paul said we should not give “grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”[8] While tithing is important, Jesus advised us to focus on more significant matters such as faith, showing mercy, and exercising good judgment.[9] Financial support is only one way we can do good works to help those in need. On judgment day, God will evaluate our faith in Christ alongside our actions, including our giving, as salvation cannot be attained through faith alone.
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[1] Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
John 5:27-29 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[2] Revelation 14:12-13 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
[3] Matthew 6:19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[4] Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.
[5] Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
[6] Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
[7] James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
[8] II Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[9] Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.