All About Faith and Works

Paul the apostle, in his letter to the Romans, wrote in great detail about the topics of faith and works, and how they relate to one another. Have you ever met people who seem forced into doing good deeds to 'get into heaven'? Or have you ever met someone who claims to have faith in God, but their life doesn't represent His character at all? This type of thing was around even in Paul's day, and he was well aware of it. Taking a deeper look into this book of Romans, faith and works are put into a clear perspective.

Let's start with the verses supporting that the deeds of the law do not justify anyone, but rather we are justified by grace.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on *him that justifieth the ungodly*, his faith is counted for righteousness.
*Christ*

Romans 3:20, 23, 24 and 4:5

If we were to read these all by themselves, it would seem the only step to a life with God is simply believing on Him and accepting the gift of grace which we have received through Christ. It is true that this is the first step to a life with God, but it isn't the only step.

For example, when a sinner comes to God for repentence, are they coming to God in perfect form? Absolutely not. They are coming in brokenness of spirit, exactly as they are. We are accepted exactly as we are. We are not given grace because of our good deeds. If that were the case, none of us would have grace. We are given grace simply by reaching out and taking it out of a pure heart.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
- Luke 5:32

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
- Psalm 145:18

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
- John 6:37

Keeping this in mind, we can move on to the sixth chapter:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therin?
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

- Romans 6:1-4, 6

Verses from Galatians give us even more insight and understanding:

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
-Galatians 2:17-21

Can we not conclude from what we've read so far that the first step is acceptance and belief of Christ's sacrifice for us? Surely that is all it takes. However, it doesn't mean we're suppose to continue on in sin. With faith in God, there will come a transformation from the inside out. When we take that first step of believing in God and having faith in Him, but we continue on in sin, our old self is not gone, and we are not crucified with Christ, and we do not abide in Him.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
- Psalm 51:10

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1 John 2:4-6

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Every day we can ask God to purify our hearts and our minds. Every day we can be reborn in Him. It isn't something that's forced, it's something we will have a deep desire for. We will hunger and thirst for righteousness, just as we hunger and thirst for food and water.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Matthew 5:6

Faith and works go hand in hand. Works without faith will bring no man salvation. Our faith is dead without works; without an outer transformation of character (James 2:26). Have faith in Jesus, and you will be transformed! It will come naturally. It doesn't mean it will be easy. There will be tribulations and even temptations, but as the apostle Paul said:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations, also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
- Romans 5:1-5

As we bring this Bible reading to a conclusion, I highly recommend reading John 15:1-10:

The Vine and the Branches

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
- Psalm 119:165

Also, if you'd like to read more on this subject, this site does a good job of explaining while using scripture for reference:

Why Faith Without Works Is Dead