Faith Only Will Not Save

Robert Meredith

Some religious people say that faith alone, or faith only, is all that is necessary for salvation.  These individuals will then quote a verse or two to support their view.  Certainly, one is saved by faith and I believe the verses that these individuals quote because they teach that a person is saved by faith.  But we are discussing being saved by faith only.  The only place in the entire Bible where one can find the words “faith” and “only” together is James 2:24.  James wrote, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”  Man is justified by faith (Romans 5:1), but not by faith only (James 2:24).  James even points out that the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19), but they are not saved simply because of it.  The Apostle John wrote, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God…” (John 1:12).  At the point of faith, they had the ability to become children of God, but were not His children yet.  What type of faith saves, an obedient faith (one that obeys what God commands), or an inactive faith (one that does not follow what God says)? 

    Let us notice some great examples of faith found in the Bible.  Hebrews 11 is known as “faith’s hall of fame”.  In this chapter, one can read of many great men and women of faith.  All of these had an active or obedient faith.  Notice a few examples:  “By faith Abel offered…; By faith Noah moved with fear, prepared an ark…; By faith Abraham...obeyed” (Hebrews 11:4, 7, 8).  Each of these, and others, demonstrate what kind of faith saves.  One that hears God and obeys will be saved.  Notice what the Hebrew writer penned in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”  Our faith must be diligent, not just a mental assent that Jesus is God.  The devils have always known that He is God, but they are not saved by faith only (James 2:19).  Our faith must be such that it is willing to obey God.  Jesus declared, “Why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).  These people believed He was Lord, but refused to follow Him.  (See also John 12:42).

  As one examines what God has commanded man to do to access His grace, he can see that each command is built around faith.  Faith is a work, not of merit, but of righteousness (John 6:29).  Repentance is faith turning from the old paths of sin and turning to God (Acts 2:38; 17:30).  Confession is faith proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 10:10; Matthew 16:16).  Baptism is faith humbly submitting to the commands of God and thus contacting Christ’s shed blood (Romans 6:3-4; Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16).

  Jesus said, “For if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).  One must believe this great truth, or he can not be saved.  Let us not only believe that He is God, but also believe God and obey what He instructs (John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16; Revelation 2:10).