Would you like to know the true meaning of the faith and works? In this biblical study we will show you in the light of the word of God (Elohim) how faith and works should be harmonized since, today many believers think that both things should not be linked or that one saves and the other does not . We invite you to stay.
Faith and works, what are they according to the Bible?
So that you can understand a little better what faith and works are, we must see that I gave the word of God (Elohim) each concept or definition is very clear. Let’s see what each of these qualities and causes are in the believer.
Here you can learn about:
How is faith manifested in the believer?
The faith of a believer is “counted for righteousness” according to the Bible. We can see this in (Phil. 2:12) what does it say: “To work for his own salvation” and in (Acts 16:31) “Believe in the Lord Jesus (Yahshua), and you will be saved“. Faith, in simple words, is: trust fully in something invisible, not palpable and take it for granted that it will happen. We can also do this in (Hebrews 11:1) “Faith (confidence) is to be certain of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.” (Kadosh Bible Version)
What are the works?
It has been said that faith and works are absolutely irreconcilable. This is far from the truth. Most misconceptions, however, contain a grain of truth somewhere, and this one is no exception. It is very true that the popular doctrine of salvation based on human merit, through any work, is absolutely contrary to the biblical truth of justification by faith.
However, the Scriptures speak of “good works“! But they are of a completely different order and are as harmonious and intimately linked to faith as the fruits and leaves of a tree, to the sap that flows through the trunk and branches.
Harmony between faith and works
Now that we know a little about the biblical concept of faith and works, let’s see how both aspects should be harmonized within the life of the believer. Here are some clarifications that you can find in the Bible about faith and works:
- In Colossians 1:21 we found the phrase “bad deeds“. It is not necessary to describe them. They are the sad result of the fallen and depraved nature of the children of Adam. A bad work is the bad fruit of a bad tree. In hebrews 9:14 we have the expressiondead works“.
- These works, like the performance of religious duties, are done for the purpose of gaining life and blessing. These are the “Justice“of man, who are but”filth webs“in the eyes of God (Elohim) ( 64:6). They are what produces an extremely bad tree; in fact, it is a bad fruit, because nothing will make thorns bear grapes, nor figs bear thistles.
- In Titus 2: 7, 9there is talk of “good works” which are strongly urged on Christians. They are the fruits of the new nature (in which the Christian participates) which has its vitality in faith and of which the Spirit of God (Elohim) is the power. A good work is the good fruit that grows on the good tree.
- In Romans 3, 4 and 5, justification before God (Elohim) is considered to be based solely on the principle of faith. One verse is enough to prove it: “We conclude that man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.“(3:28).
- In James 2, it is presented to us with the same clarity that justification, in the public aspect, before men, is not only or mainly by faith, but by the works that Christians are urged to produce. One more verse will suffice to prove it: “You see that man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.“( 2:24).
How are faith and works harmonized?
Now, let us study the context of these passages carefully and we will see in them an amazing proof of the harmony that exists between faith and works.
Faith and Works in Romans and James
paul in Romans and James in their epistle they cite Abraham as the great Old Testament example that supports their claim. In the life of this extraordinary man, called by God (Elohim) to become “the father of all who believe“(Rom. 4:11), we see faith as a living reality between his soul and God (Elohim): looking at the starry heavens, he believed God (Elohim) – accepting with certainty what was humanly impossible – “and it was credited to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15)
We also see a great work of faith when, years later, out of sheer obedience, he went to Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac on whom the promises rested (Gen. 22). He believed in God (Elohim) as the one who raises the dead, and there is no doubt that this act proves it. It was the outward manifestation of inward faith.
In Romans 4Paul refers to Genesis 15, while James refers to Genesis 22. It would be like two men lying down, one inside a hollow ball, the other outside “one stating that it is concave and the other convex”.
Paul giving the inner side, says that we are justified “by faith“Looking at things from the outside, it says that we are”by worksBut unlike the Biblical example, we should not agree with man’s vision.
Let’s move on to some questions about faith and works
The harmony of faith and works make a lot of sense in the believer’s life, if a Christian does not have Faith; he will not be able to please God (Elohim) and if without faith; he will have no “good works.” But, people tend to confuse these 2 terms as being synonymous with salvation. Let’s look at some questions that can help you with this confusion.
What is the faith?
Elaborate definitions could be given, but they would probably be less satisfactory than what the Bible says. We can simplify it by saying: “Faith is believing what God (Elohim) says, because it is God (Elohim) who says it”.
Faith is like a window that receives light. Sunlight shines on the outer wall, but it comes in through the window; nothing is added to it, but his rays illuminate the room that would be dark without him. For “believe in God (Elohim)“Like Abraham, divine light must enter the soul.
But faith is more than that. It is not just a matter of having light, but of resting entirely in the one whom the light reveals to us.
The faith of a believer “counted for righteousness”
“Whoever believes in him who justifies the wicked without doing works, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Rom. 4: 5). We must not give this expression a meaning “commercial“, as if it meant that we come to God (Elohim) bringing such an amount of faith that we would receive in return so much justice, like a merchant who exchanges goods for money.
Nor should we give it a meaning.”chemical“, as if it meant that we bring our faith so that it becomes justice, like the famous Philosopher’s Stone that turns everything it touches into gold.
Abraham is the great example of the meaning of these words (v. 3). He, and we, are considered by God (Elohim) righteous before the faith. This is its simple meaning. Faith brings all the justifying virtues of the blood of Christ, which is the basis of this justice. We can say that the first right (or just) thing, and the beginning of a straight path, in the life of any person is when that person turns to God (Elohim) as a sinner and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Yahshua Ha Mashiach). ).
Do faith and works bring salvation?
Many believers are misinformed and poorly taught, because they take some verses like this: “Work for your own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) that seem to make salvation dependent on works. How are we to understand them?
If we study faith and works, we must always consider them in context. But even if we didn’t have a context to refer to, we’re sure that “work for your own salvation“cannot conflict with the truth of Ephesians 2: “For by grace you have been saved, by faith… not by the beginning of the works so that no one can boast” (v. 8-9)
The context shows that the theme of the apostle in Philippians 1 and 2 it is the practical walk of the believer.
- The adversaries were numerous ( 1:28).
- Difficulties grew within the Church ( 2:2-4).
- Paul himself, this watchful shepherd, had to leave because of his first captivity ( 2:12).
It practically says: Jesus Christ (Yahshua Ha Mashiaj) is your great example. Be aware of your weakness because of the flesh that is in you, he works for your own salvation with fear and trembling, to escape the various dangers that threaten you.
And, so that at no time do you think about trusting your own abilities, add: “because God (Elohim) is the one who works in you“ (v. 13). By his Spirit, God (Elohim) is doing an inner work and we are doing an outer work.
Does believing save us?
“Believe in the Lord Jesus (Yahshua), and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Does “just believing” without demanding good works lead to disastrous results? Yeah, preach”just believe” without discernment can lead men to do evil. But we will not preach better than the apostles.
Men in general should be preached saying: “repentance towards God (Elohim) and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Yahshua Ha Mashiaj)” (Acts 20:21).
Addressing the Philippian jailer, in whose soul a work of repentance had already begun, he only said: “Believe in the Lord Jesus (Yahshua) and you will be saved”. Over there, “just believing” was quite out of place, and “ask for good works” would have been useless.
Furthermore, it is said that less than an hour after his conversion, the jailer had done his first good deed; was the fruit and proof of his faith (vers. 33). He didn’t do it to be savedbut as a result of the change that grace had wrought within.
Furthermore, Paul said that he preached to men “so that they repent and turn to God (Elohim), doing works suitable for repentance” (). It is absolutely necessary. If a man professes to have repented, we may demand that the change be manifested in his daily life before we fully accept what he professes.
But that has nothing to do with the preaching of good works as a necessary complement to justification.
Faith and Works Emphasis
It’s not just about “dead works” in Hebrews, but also from “dead faith” in James 2:17 What does this mean?
Dead faith is human faith, or simple intellectual belief, and not living faith that has its source in God (Elohim). Demons share this faith, as the following verses show. On the surface it looks a lot like real faith, but on closer examination it is found to be false. “Dont have work“, is a tree without fruit that only has leaves.
The scriptures give us examples of this dead faith. let’s compare John 2:23-25 Y John 6: 66-71. In this last scene, Simon Peter illustrates living faith; the many disciples who left Jesus (Yahshua) illustrate a dead faith, while Judas Iscariot shows us a man who has a lot of profession and no faith!
Many professing Christians show little or no good works. What does it mean?
Who can really say if it is not only God (Elohim)? Rather, good deeds are the hands of a clock, indicating the result of inner activity, than the gears themselves.
Faith is the main source of activity. It may be that these people are going to…