- The issue still separates Christians after more than 2,000 years of debate.
- It has caused wars.
- It was one of the reasons of the splitting the Church in the 16th Century.
Are You Saved By Faith Or Works?
This topic has been discussed for long periods of time and probably will never be agreed upon.
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This post looks at this issue from a different angle. We've heard the Bible quotes many times before.
"Man is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Epistle To The Romans 3:28
"Faith without works is dead." - St. James 2:26
However, an interesting "twist" to this debate has been proposed that the author has found helpful in examining this debate.
The twist was first poured over while perusing the book "Streams In The Desert" - Charles Cowmann.
This is the different angle, which seems more complete and accurate:
Are Your Works Done With Faith Or Not?
This is an interesting viewpoint because it could be taken to mean that both of the above quotes could be interpreted as accurate.
* "Man is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
This is accurate because faith is the basis for salvation whether you go by works or not.* "Faith without works is dead."
This is accurate because works are an important part of salvation if there is faith.Faith, Works Or both?
This viewpoint also addresses an issue that has divided readers of the Bible for centuries. That issue is it looks like statements in the Bible contradict each other. The viewpoint "Are your works done with faith or not?" seems to find a way which seemingly contradictory statements could BOTH be accurate. In this scenario it is not that one statement has to be correct and the other has to be incorrect (whichever statement that is)."What are examples of works that are NOT done by faith"? is a logical question. One answer is to go through the motions of life without deriving meaning, which is the essence of what these blog posts are addressing. Put another way they could "lack soul." (Thus faith without works is dead).
Another logical question is to ask what constitutes works being done. In this sense it seems works demonstrate your faith. An example of this in the Bible is when a needy person is asking for food and clothes. Faith is empathizing with them, while works are to actually give them something. If the works are done for faith, and not for something like pride, then the both parts of the "twist" are correct. In fact, all three statements regarding faith, works and salvation would be correct.
Poor Monk and Priest Martin Luther might be disappointed to hear this viewpoint, as his actions helped led to the Protestant Reformation in 1517. His assertion that salvation is by faith alone leaves out an important part. Although that important part also partially includes faith it is not complete by faith alone.
Have you performed your works today?
You might also be interested in:
What Does Faith Consist Of?
Faith That Works
Author: Albert Wagner
