Salvation is by Faith, not works
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph 2:8,9)
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Heb 6:1)
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:14)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the
faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the
law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal 2:16)
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Rom 4:4,5)
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Gal 5:6)
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal 3:2)
He
therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among
you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal
3:5)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Gal 3:11)
Be
not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:
but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power
of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Tim 1:8,9)
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)
But
go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:
for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matt.
9:13)
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin… …Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood,
to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through
the forbearance of God;… …Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By
what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude
that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Rom 3:20,24,25,27,28)
But
Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained
to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not
by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that
stumblingstone; (Rom 9:31)
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,
by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which
he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being
justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. (Tit 3:4-7)
But what about James 2:20 "Faith without works is dead?"
When
a person is trully saved, they will show good works naturally because of
their faith. Many people today "believe" in Jesus, but they refuse
to obey Him. The devils also believe in Jesus, and tremble (James 2:19).
When a person is a true believer in Jesus, the Holy Ghost lives in
them, and will cause them to show forth good works. They will have
all of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 and 23. "... shew me thy faith without works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 2:18. We are not saved by doing good works, we are saved to do good works.
