What Is The Relationship Between Faith & Works?

The relationship between faith and works is that works are the result of faith. In the Bible, faith and works are very often contrasted. They are not the same thing, and the combination of faith and works does not bring salvation. Salvation is by faith alone.

Romans 3:28 (NASB) - “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

Romans 4:5 - “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.”

Galatians 2:16 (NASB) - “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus…”

False religious systems always teach that faith plus a person's works result in salvation. This is false, because our good works are filthy rags, literally menstrual cloths, before God (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, we can’t do anything to please God by our good works. Galatians 2:21 (NASB) says that if righteousness comes by the law (works), then Christ died needlessly.

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

James 2:26 says that faith without works is dead, but what James is talking about is that dead faith produces no works. The context of the chapter begins in verse 14 where James says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” Notice that James asks, “can that faith save him?" The faith he is talking about is false faith, which he further clarifies when he mentions how the devil also believes in God (James 2:19). The demons have dead faith. They only acknowledge God’s existence, their trust and hope are not in Him.

So, with a true Christian, good works are the result of faith, not a contributing factor to salvation. Nor do our good works keep us saved. If that were the case, then salvation would be by works. Many people look to Jesus as their Savior and not their Lord. Faith makes Him your Savior, works make Him your Lord.

In short, true faith will always be accompanied by works. Just as Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit, so too a Christian will bear works if their faith is good. John Calvin said: "We are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is never alone."