Faith, Grace and Works is Taught by God

Faith and grace alone versus works has been one of the most argued doctrines of the gospel, and it has been one of the most blind and foolish doctrines pervading Christendom. It has been difficult to know where this doctrine started, but there is some information that this doctrine of "faith and grace only" prevailed as far back as the mid 1700's¹, where two Anglican-Methodist theleogians named John Wesley and Charles Wesley challenged the belief and doctrine of faith-grace only. The "faith-grace only" belief is nothing new, but it is curious that such a doctrine would rise during the dark ages after the great apostacy of the early Christian Church. Rather than give a history lesson, I wish to address the doctrine itself. I intend to show that this is a false doctrine and that God's word in his gospel clearly shows and proves that "good works" is an integral part of faith

One of the persistent characteristics of false doctrines is that they blantantly ignore many of the other princples preached by God's prophets. An example are the the words of James the Apostle in James - chapter 2 where he clearly said,

With the words of James alone, the doctrine of "faith-grace only" proves to be false. Yet the gospel holds more evidence that faith and works is a crucial combination, such as the examples from Jesus Christ. When looking at his examples, we see the Son of God, the perfect example of faith to the Holy Father. We also know, that Jesus was and is the perfect example of living gospel truths, precept upon precept, else he could not be the Saviour. We know that Jesus would not speak one thing, then act contrary to his words. We know that the principles that Jesus lived and worked from, must also be eternal, else he could not be the Saviour. We know that grace comes by the Father, through Jesus Christ. This means that the principle of grace is an eternal principle, everlasting, because it had to deal with an eternal spiritual debt, else the power of atonement would be worthless.

When looking at the doctrines spoken by Jesus Christ, he showed the Jews a prime example of faith with works when he healed the sick on the Sabbath. Jesus Christ did the "work" of faith (Mark 3:3-6), the exact principle James preached in James - chapter 2. The Jews sought to accuse Jesus of violating Jewish law, which was the law pertaining "only" to works, having "no faith". What the Jews did here was show us the dangers of following only the letter of the word (2 Cor 3:6), which is death. Jesus showed them "life" which is spiritual, which is faith through works. This is why James spoke of works without faith, that works alone is dead, and he also spoke of faith without works, is also dead. The two, faith and works, must exist for us in order to be "true and alive" in the gospel and in faith.

Having said all this, it would be reasonable to see that if "grace alone" was a true principle of God, and work was not required, then it must show in the examples of Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus himself must show, by a lack of action, that faith alone is the only thing we need do. Did Jesus show that faith does not need works?

Consider this, if works was not needed at all, then Jesus would have not performed the "works of miracles" he did, and all he need do was sit in a cave and preach the word, but to do this would have made him an "idle son of God", much like the guru's of the eastern faiths. What value would this be to us if we had the gospel displaying such complacency and idlness? What value is the "word of God" that sits doing nothing? Is life such that it stands idle, doing nothing? Is the beauty we see here on this earth the result of an idle God or a God that shews good works?

Let us look at the examples of Jesus Christ to see what he really portrayed. As you read the examples (paraphrased) from the scriptures, seek out the words that relate to "work" or taking an "active role".

What of the words of Jesus? Did he say anything about our "duties" or "responsibilities" that would make the entrance into the Kingdom of God, conditional? Let us see.

The principle is that the work we must do, is "relative" to what we are to bring forth, maintain, build, secure, develop, and preach to others. Even the basic fact that any person preaches anything, even the false doctrine of "faith-grace only", is doing work. They are preaching and working to teach others. Is faith therefore, worthy to God without works? – Nay, it is not.

To "doeth" is to work, to take action, to take one's faith and make it alive in life. To make it worthy to God. Can anyone see this? Is what we choose to do worthy to God or not? Do our actions (work) show or represent a good kind of faith? Are you still doubtful that what I speak is true? Then allow me to show you a simple passage from the gospel that clearly shows this principle of work and faith. That if we fail to do the proper work, which means proper action or act, also failing to make the proper choices, we fail in faith.

A person who chooses to follow Christ (referred to by "having put his hand to the plough), then looks back, (means wishes to remain or return to the ways of his worldy life), has shown by his/her actions (work) that he/she has no faith (not fit) for the kingdom of God. This Bibical passage clearly shows the distinction between "working" for God versus working for the world or yourself. What a perfect example of bad works makes bad faith and that good faith requires proper and good works.

Is Repentance Work?

What of repentance? This is another aspect of work within the gospel, and a very important one because with no repentance, no person can enter the kingdom of God. ( 3 Ne. 11:38 / Luke 13:3,5 ) What manner of faith is there without repentance? For a person to believe that the atonment does all the work and effort for them, that they do not need to repent is paramount to greed, selfishness and idleness. Saying to the effect, "I have no need to repent, I use the atonement which has repented (doing the work) for me".

Many foolishly think that once they believe in Jesus Christ, that the atonement does everything for them, when it does not. The atonement does not remove our free will to choose between good and evil, and there is no man or woman on this earth, that is so "good", that there is no iniquity, evil or corruption within them to repent. The process of repentance is continual, to modify our carnal minds to become spiritual ( Romans 8:5-7 ).

To gain the benefit of the atonement, to enter the kingdom of God, a person must freely choose to repent and continue as per the example of the Apostles, who suffered tribulation daily. For goodness sake, is it so hard to see that Jesus Christ himself preached repentance, the personal act of faith with the work of change (repentance), showing and saying that no person can enter the kingdom without doing this "work" called repentance? Without repentance and proper works that such a person is no better than a slothful servant, one who is idle.

An idle man or woman is of no value to the kingdom of God, one who has a lack of, or no faith. Is this not the "hidden" principle of this doctrine of "faith-grace only", making it a wolf in sheep's clothing, fooling and misleading many into darkness, only to perish? Now, what of other works within the gospel that God teaches and tells us to do?

This was a commandment of God, that each of us are to enter into the Lord's baptism in order that we can gain salvation and enter the kingdom of God. It is a "New Testament" commandment given by Jesus Christ. All these "grace only" believers simply refuse to acknowledge these examples of works. Even in the "act" of baptism there is "work". The person performing the baptism and the person participating in it. If these "grace only" believers took this into account, their beliefs would perish. It is a sure sign of evil or iniquity to reject a commandment of God, even in a set of beliefs where people tote themselves as Christians, but in truth is an example of being "slothful" in belief and faith, seeking only beliefs and doctrines that promote idleness or a selfish manner (means to serve only yourself). There is no service to God and others, and no righteousness in selfish doctrines

Daniel H. Ludlow, said this about grace and works:

Paul and Grace

When reading the New Testament, we must also take into account of what Paul was saying and why he said it, without loosing the spiritual principles set out in the rest of the gospel. We see that Paul had to contend with the mindset of the Jews and their obsession with works and law, but with no faith. Paul did need to emphasize the grace of God to the stubborn mindset of Jewish beliefs in order to show that they needed to develop their faith. To show them that they needed proper faith in order that any good works have value to God and their faith. Paul's understanding of the balance between faith and works is in his words as follows.

That we may abound in every "good work" because of the grace of God. Paul knew that works alone, the Jewish way, was not of any value. Paul new that faith alone is of no value either, for he "worked" diligently with his fellow apostle, James. Paul did not deny or discount "good works". Paul knew that good works was important. If we claim that Paul denied the need for works, then we cause a discord in the gospel. This discord is the making of Paul's words to mean something that is contrary to the rest of the gospel, as in the words of James – chapter 2, (see above). We know that Paul's words cannot contradict James, because God does not teach one apostle one thing and then teach something contrary to another. This would be causing confusion and God is never the author of confusion ( 1 Cor.14:33 )

Is what I say denying the grace of God? - Nay it is not, for what I have done is given a proper perspective on the relationship between God's grace and our works. Brother Lund said this about grace and works,

Faith cannot exist in our lives without proper works. The gospel is clear on this, and anything less or different is considered of no value to God. I can atest to this from the experiences in my own life. Unless I exercised my faith in proper works, I lost the Holy Ghost, I lost the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and I opened the door for idle works that only leads to darkness, confusion and spiritual ignorance. So it is true, righteous works do draw into our hearts the light of Christ more and more, just as helping the poor and needy, the principle of charity, as expected of us.

There is one last thing to keep in mind. With all the work that Paul had done for his faith, to teach us about faith. All the work he did for the Lord's true Church. All the work he did to teach us about salvation and to bring to us gospel truths and his "work" led to his death at the hands of the Romans. This all says, that any belief or doctrine that discounts "work", is a blatant denial of God and his word. It disgraces the apostle Paul and all that he did for us. Yea it even denies the "work" Jesus did to bring us the atonement.

Where is faith in such "works" as the faith only doctrine?

Amen
Mark Warbinek
November 5, 2006

1. Wesley Center for Applied Theology, "Wesley's Letters: 1745"

• Wesley Center for Applied Theology, Wesley's Letters: 1745.
• Ludlow, Daniel H., "Selected Writings of Daniel H. Ludlow", Gospel Scholars Series
• Lund, Gerald N., Article - "Salvation: By Grace or by Works?"