Today’s Twisted Scripture Lie #2 has challenged me. I can agree with those who believe in “faith alone”. I can also agree with certain aspects of “faith plus works”. However, I want us to go to the Scripture and not our opinions to see what God is saying through His Word.

     First, we need to have a definition of faith and works. Works in the Bible can be easily referred to as actions that can be either good or bad. When we are focusing on those “good works”, they spring from a love and devotion to the Lord and not for selfish reasons. Faith is trusting in something that you cannot obviously prove. The Bible gives us this clear definition in Hebrews 11:1.

     When we look at the book, “Twisted Scripture” Lie #2, it says that “You’re justified by faith plus good works.” The author opens by asking a great question, “Are we made right before God by faith plus works?” When we examine the faith vs works debate, there are a few important facts that are clear:

     The first thing you and I need to remember is that Jesus Christ has done the “WORK” on the Cross for us. Paul says in Romans 3:24, “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Therefore, there is no other “WORK” or “ACTION” that needs to take place. What Christ did on the Cross is and was enough because Jesus said in John 19:30 that it is finished!

     The next point is this: If you and I could have saved ourselves then we would have done it. There is no amount of works, deeds, sacrifices, or anything that we could do to secure our salvation. Paul was clear when he said in Ephesians 2:8-9, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” In addition, Paul writing to Titus was very clear about who were before Christ. Titus 3:4-5 says, “But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

     Now, let’s deal with works. From earlier we defined works as actions or deeds. The writer talked about how there was an apparent contradiction between James 2 and Romans. Since James spoke multiple times about being “justified by works” in verses 24 and 25, it would call for us to dig deeper into what he was saying. I believe that James was specifically referencing the Old Testament and how there was a “work” that justified them before God. Since this reference was speaking of those people in the Old Testament before Jesus, James was not connecting salvation to works. The author said and I agree that “James is not describing a required lifestyle of works. He’s referring to one-time choices that people made because of faith.”

    Finally, the author stated that “The work is to believe.” Our works, actions, or deeds are a product of our faith. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” At the end of the day, our work is to walk, to live, and to please God as Hebrews 13:16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1 tells us.

    When I was reading and preparing for this thought, I wrote this statement: “I believed first! Since I believe then I do, and I act.” You see, my salvation was secured once I believed in Jesus. Now that I have been ransomed and redeemed, I am showing love, forgiveness, and longsuffering. I am testifying about the goodness of Jesus. I am praying for my enemies. I am giving. I am working in my God given assignment and so much more. Therefore, our faith, our walk with Jesus is not passive. It requires an active response.