The Bible is clear, though, that it is only through faith that we are justified. The Bible says that with the heart, one believes and is justified. The expected act of obedience for normal situations is baptism, but God is merciful and cares about people who cannot be physically baptized, or through the normal method because of rare situations or physical reasons too.
Thanks for your comment Pamela! Drew and I were just talking about how incredible it is that someone is reading an article from almost two years ago! This article I'm linking goes along with Drew's response to your comment.
I greatly appreciate you reading and responding to the article. It is a blessing to write to the glory of God and know that there are those who are sincere in wanting to know and do the will of God. In response to your comment, I wanted to answer it with Scripture. You and I are both entitled to our own opinions, but I want to make sure to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent (1 Pet. 4:11).
We are in total agreement that the “Bible is clear.” I appreciate you making that statement because there are so many in our world who don’t grasp that truth. The Word of God is truth (Psa. 119:160; John 17:17) as every word is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The truth will set us free (John 8:32) and has the power to transform our lives (Rom. 12:1-2). We have a responsibility to study the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) and apply the words to our lives (Jas. 1:22).
Continuing to discuss your response, you then said: “that it is only through faith that we are justified.” You are exactly right that we are justified through faith, but I would lovingly point you to the Scriptures that teach us that it is not by “faith alone” or “only faith.” While faith is absolutely essential, meaning we cannot please God or be saved without it (Heb. 11:6), the question must be asked: What is Biblical faith? What is saving faith?
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). You quoted from Romans 10:9-10 which says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It is important for us to note that Paul was writing to Christians, those who had already responded by faith in obedience to the Gospel: “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7; cf. 6:3-6, 16-18). He is not addressing alien sinners telling them what they need to do to be saved. With that said, confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing in the heart that He is Lord are both essential to salvation, but they are not the only requirements necessary to obtain salvation.
The Bible teaches that faith is essential to salvation as well as repentance, confession, and being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When we use the terms “only” or “alone,” it excludes anything and everything else!
Furthermore, if one concludes that we are saved through faith ONLY, what do we do with Jesus’ words: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The word “and” shows the importance of not believing only, but also being baptized to be saved. Both are essential! In fact, belief alone won’t save anyone for if it did, even the demons would be saved: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jas. 2:19).
The Bible clearly tells us that we are justified through faith, as you said, but what is that “faith?” Consider what the Bible says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). These two passages teach us that we are not saved by faith alone, for God’s grace also saves us. Can one conclude that we are saved by faith alone and exclude God’s grace? What about our response to God’s grace? Notice the phrase in the above passages: “through faith.” Faith (hearing what God says, believing what God says, and doing what God says) is evident in both passages. God’s grace is extended to us through the Gospel and our obedience by faith (through faith) puts us into Christ (“baptized into Christ have put on Christ”). It is not of works of merit, meaning we cannot earn our salvation, but there are works involved in our salvation: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). James, by inspiration, paints the following picture:
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (Jas. 2:14)
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:17)
“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas. 2:20)
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24)
One of the best chapters in the Bible to show what Biblical faith is all about is Hebrews 11. With each example, we learn that it was not by “faith only/alone” that they were pleasing to God, but by faithful obedience. Note the following few examples which proves that faith precedes the action and that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys:
Abel — By faith, Abel…offered (Heb. 11:4)
Noah — By faith, Noah…moved; prepared (Heb. 11:7)
Abraham — By faith, Abraham…obeyed (Heb. 11:8)
To close out the response to your comment, you mentioned: “The expected act of obedience for normal situations is baptism, but God is merciful and cares about people who cannot be physically baptized, or through the normal method because of rare situations or physical reasons too.” Would a loving, merciful, and caring God ask His creation to do something necessary for salvation if they were not able to do it? That would make God a “respecter of persons” which He is not (Acts 10:34). Certainly, He is compassionate and understands everyone’s situation, but baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of sins is essential to one’s salvation. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5). Notice the word “unless.” This doesn’t allow for any exceptions, but is a condition one must meet if he or she wants to enter the Kingdom of God!
Once again, I appreciate your response to the article and thank you for being mindful of spiritual things. I hope and pray that this response to you will be received in a positive way knowing that I am simply doing my best to honor my Lord by presenting His Word in a loving way. May God bless you as you study His Word, and if you have any further questions/comments/concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.
The Bible is clear, though, that it is only through faith that we are justified. The Bible says that with the heart, one believes and is justified. The expected act of obedience for normal situations is baptism, but God is merciful and cares about people who cannot be physically baptized, or through the normal method because of rare situations or physical reasons too.
Thanks for your comment Pamela! Drew and I were just talking about how incredible it is that someone is reading an article from almost two years ago! This article I'm linking goes along with Drew's response to your comment.
https://centeredonchrist.substack.com/p/what-does-the-bible-say-about-faith
Dear Pamela Trusty,
I greatly appreciate you reading and responding to the article. It is a blessing to write to the glory of God and know that there are those who are sincere in wanting to know and do the will of God. In response to your comment, I wanted to answer it with Scripture. You and I are both entitled to our own opinions, but I want to make sure to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent (1 Pet. 4:11).
We are in total agreement that the “Bible is clear.” I appreciate you making that statement because there are so many in our world who don’t grasp that truth. The Word of God is truth (Psa. 119:160; John 17:17) as every word is breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The truth will set us free (John 8:32) and has the power to transform our lives (Rom. 12:1-2). We have a responsibility to study the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15) and apply the words to our lives (Jas. 1:22).
Continuing to discuss your response, you then said: “that it is only through faith that we are justified.” You are exactly right that we are justified through faith, but I would lovingly point you to the Scriptures that teach us that it is not by “faith alone” or “only faith.” While faith is absolutely essential, meaning we cannot please God or be saved without it (Heb. 11:6), the question must be asked: What is Biblical faith? What is saving faith?
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). You quoted from Romans 10:9-10 which says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It is important for us to note that Paul was writing to Christians, those who had already responded by faith in obedience to the Gospel: “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7; cf. 6:3-6, 16-18). He is not addressing alien sinners telling them what they need to do to be saved. With that said, confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing in the heart that He is Lord are both essential to salvation, but they are not the only requirements necessary to obtain salvation.
The Bible teaches that faith is essential to salvation as well as repentance, confession, and being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). When we use the terms “only” or “alone,” it excludes anything and everything else!
Furthermore, if one concludes that we are saved through faith ONLY, what do we do with Jesus’ words: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The word “and” shows the importance of not believing only, but also being baptized to be saved. Both are essential! In fact, belief alone won’t save anyone for if it did, even the demons would be saved: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jas. 2:19).
The Bible clearly tells us that we are justified through faith, as you said, but what is that “faith?” Consider what the Bible says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). These two passages teach us that we are not saved by faith alone, for God’s grace also saves us. Can one conclude that we are saved by faith alone and exclude God’s grace? What about our response to God’s grace? Notice the phrase in the above passages: “through faith.” Faith (hearing what God says, believing what God says, and doing what God says) is evident in both passages. God’s grace is extended to us through the Gospel and our obedience by faith (through faith) puts us into Christ (“baptized into Christ have put on Christ”). It is not of works of merit, meaning we cannot earn our salvation, but there are works involved in our salvation: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). James, by inspiration, paints the following picture:
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (Jas. 2:14)
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas. 2:17)
“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas. 2:20)
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24)
One of the best chapters in the Bible to show what Biblical faith is all about is Hebrews 11. With each example, we learn that it was not by “faith only/alone” that they were pleasing to God, but by faithful obedience. Note the following few examples which proves that faith precedes the action and that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys:
Abel — By faith, Abel…offered (Heb. 11:4)
Noah — By faith, Noah…moved; prepared (Heb. 11:7)
Abraham — By faith, Abraham…obeyed (Heb. 11:8)
To close out the response to your comment, you mentioned: “The expected act of obedience for normal situations is baptism, but God is merciful and cares about people who cannot be physically baptized, or through the normal method because of rare situations or physical reasons too.” Would a loving, merciful, and caring God ask His creation to do something necessary for salvation if they were not able to do it? That would make God a “respecter of persons” which He is not (Acts 10:34). Certainly, He is compassionate and understands everyone’s situation, but baptism into Christ for the forgiveness of sins is essential to one’s salvation. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5). Notice the word “unless.” This doesn’t allow for any exceptions, but is a condition one must meet if he or she wants to enter the Kingdom of God!
Once again, I appreciate your response to the article and thank you for being mindful of spiritual things. I hope and pray that this response to you will be received in a positive way knowing that I am simply doing my best to honor my Lord by presenting His Word in a loving way. May God bless you as you study His Word, and if you have any further questions/comments/concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.