7-Saving Faith: Is it the Real Deal?

Consider A FAITH THAT WORKS. Can faith and works exist apart from one another? The authors of the NT seem to be so concerned about answering this question that sometime it might sound as if they are contradicting themselves, you don't read all the salient passages. In some texts, for instance, the apostle Paul takes pains to emphasize that salvation is by faith alone without any hint or trace of human effort (Titus 3:5). In his letter to the Romans, he writes, "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Rom 4:5). Yet earlier in Romans he states that God "will render to each person according to his deeds" (Rom 2:6 cf. v5-10, 13-16). So while defending salvation through faith alone, the writers also emphasize the need for action that shows our faith and gives evidence of a right relationship with God. James is well known for writing in such a way that Bible students try to pit him against Paul, especially when he writes, "a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (Jas 2:24). So while it is true that no one is declared right with God on the basis of human merit, it is just as true that without actions that show our faith, our relationship with God remains immature and unconfirmed in the sight of others, and may even indicate its a dead faith, that has been professed, not a living, saving faith (Jas 2:18, 22). This past Lord's Day we looked at James' teaching on dead faith and this week we'll see what he says about saving faith. But until then, we'll continue our weekly study of the Doctrine of Salvation with today's lesson on "Saving Faith: Is it the Real Deal?".