The Deception of Dead Faith
By George Stroh
September 5, 2022
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14)
It is important to understand that no one is ever justified and saved from God's penalty for sin by their good works, including their baptism, confirmation, Church affiliation, best efforts to keep the ten commandments, or any other so called good works. Salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone; For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:28)
The vast majority of religious people, however, including many who claim to be Christians, have been deceived into believing that they can somehow justify themselves by their good works and that God will forgive their sins because they are doing their best; Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; since by the works of the law no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
Having reiterated this fundamental doctrine of justification and salvation by faith alone, it is equally important to understand that true saving faith is always manifested by good works or what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25)
The Apostle James put it this way; Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:17) For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) So we are not to be deceived. We are saved and justified before God by faith alone in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. And our faith, if it is true and not dead faith, will always be followed by good works, the fruit of the Spirit; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? (James 2:20)
Maranatha!
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