Finding Truth

Faith Alone and The Bible

Belief of “Faith Alone” Rejected by the Bible

Christians believe that human beings must attain Justification before they enter Heaven.  Western Christians claim that they attain this Justification simply by “faith alone”.  Yet, this doctrine of “faith alone” is rejected in the Bible itself.  It is interesting to note that the word “faith” appears over two hundred times in the New Testament, and only once is it coupled with the word “alone.”  And this one time that the two words appear together, the doctrine is actually rejected outright:

“You see that a person is justified by his works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)

Indeed, the passage in its entirety seems to negate the doctrine of “faith alone”. We read in James, 2:14-18:

14. “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?

15. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

16. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17. In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:14-18)

Even Satan had the belief in God, yet he did not back this up with his oath of allegiance nor with his works.  The Bible continues:

19. “You believe that there is one God. Good!  Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

21. Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

23. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

24. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

(James 2:19-24)

Some Christians claim that it is enough to declare Jesus as one’s savior and God, after which a person is “re-born.”  They believe that this one-time experience—of declaring Jesus as one’s savior—is enough for one to be reassured entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Yet, such a concept is rejected by the Bible itself; verse 7:21 of Matthew tells us that merely declaring one’s Lord as Jesus is not enough, but rather one has to obey God’s Commands to reach Salvation:

“Not everyone who says to me: “Lord, Lord”, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

God will give to each man commensurate to whatever he has earned with his own two hands (i.e. works).  Eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven can only be achieved by persistence in doing good deeds; we read from the Bible:

“God will give to each person according to what he has done.  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give Eternal Life.” (Romans 2:6-7)

Therefore, Eternal Life is contingent upon doing good.  The Bible says that those who do good (i.e. good deeds) will reach Heaven, and those who do evil (i.e. evil deeds) will enter Hell: