Saved By Faith Only?

by Micky Galloway

Certainly, we are saved by faith. Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing (unto him); for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and (that) he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.” John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am (he), ye shall die in your sins.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” However, we are told that man enjoys salvation by “faith only.” For example contained in The Doctrines And Disciplines Of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South under the heading of “Articles of Religion IX,” we find the following, “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings; wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” In this article we shall examine several types of faith and determine what kind of faith saves.

In Matthew 8:5-13 we read of a centurion who desired that the Lord heal his servant who was very sick. This centurion understood the principle of authority because he had authority over a hundred soldiers. All he had to do was speak and his will was obeyed. He knew that all Jesus had to do was speak and his servant would be healed. In verse 10 we learn that Jesus “marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Jesus healed the man’s servant.

In Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus is teaching about priorities and that we should lay up treasure in heaven and not be anxious about this life. As Jesus speaks to the disciples about clothing, he reminds them, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith” (Matthew 6:28-30). With this kind rebuke, Jesus instructs them to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

As the Apostle Paul writes about the resurrection he says to the Corinthians, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain … and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (I Corinthians 15:14,17). Yes, it is possible for one to believe in vain (cf. I Corinthians 15:2). A vain faith is worthless and will not save.

Timothy on the other hand is complimented because of the “unfeigned faith that is in thee” (II Timothy 1:5). Timothy had been taught by his mother and his grandmother and was persuaded by this teaching. His faith was genuine, not pretended. He is urged to “hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 1:13).

The faith of Abraham is set forth as an example of saving faith in Romans chapter 4. While Abraham was childless and nearly a hundred years old, he was promised he would become the father of many nations (verse 18). Paul tells us, “And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Romans 4:19-21). This is the kind of faith that saves. Abraham’s faith was strong, trusting in the promise of God.

It is Abraham’s faith that is again cited by James as an example of saving faith. James is emphasizing that “faith apart from works is barren” (James 2:20). He illustrates how that “Abraham our father was justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar.” James concludes that “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). James describes saving faith as a working faith (cf. I Thessalonians 1:3). James also concludes that a faith that is not a working, obedient faith is a dead faith, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26).

As we read in the scriptures of little faith, weak faith and vain faith it should be obvious that the faith that saves is a great, strong, obedient, working faith. The doctrine which states, “that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort” is most discomforting, because it just is not so!