The Way of Salvation

Faith in Christ not only means believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24); it also means receiving Jesus into one’s heart and life (Matthew 10:40; John 1:12; Revelation 3:20), and placing complete trust in Him (2 Timothy 1:12). Faith is not just knowing Jesus; it is commitment to Him in our hearts (see panel: What does “faith” mean?). Having true faith means that we will confess our sins (1 John 1:9) and will repent, or turn from our sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38). If we truly have faith, we will confess the Lord Jesus openly with our mouth before men and not hide the fact that we are Christians (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10). We will also obey the command of Jesus to be baptized (see Matthew 28:19-20; Mark16:15-16; Acts 2:38; General Article: Water Baptism).

Although salvation is God’s work for us through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we must believe in and trust in that salvation. But we are not the source of our salvation; God is the source and gives it to us freely by grace. We do not obtain salvation by our own power or effort, nor earn it by our good works (Romans 9:16). But neither do we earn it by our faith. Faith is not a work or something we do to make our own salvation; it is simply trust in God and His gift of grace (Romans 4:5).

This is why Paul says that salvation and all its blessings are obtained by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). In other passages Paul writes “by faith” as a short form of writing “by grace through faith.” By or through faith we are declared righteous (Romans 3:27-28; Galatians 2:15-16). By faith we become holy (Acts 26:18; Galatians 3:1-5). By faith we are born into God’s family (John 1:12-13). But faith itself is a gift of God: there is no room for any boasting on our part (Acts 3:16; Ephesians 2:9; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:25). Jesus Himself is the originator of our faith, and He will preserve and perfect it to the end (Hebrews 12:2).

The example of a window can help us understand the relationship between grace and faith. We receive sunlight into our room through a window, but having a window does not make the sunlight! Grace is like the sunlight, and faith is like the window. We receive God’s grace through faith, but we do not make or earn God’s grace because we believe. After all, God gives us our window of faith in the first place. We are able to cover up our window in unbelief so that God’s grace cannot enter. Belief and trust in God is a necessary condition for salvation, but not the source of our salvation.

Other religions of the world teach that man earns salvation by doing good works. The followers of other religions think that Christians also do good works in order to obtain salvation, because they see them doing so many good deeds. Therefore, many people say that there is no difference between Christianity and other religions.

But the people who say this are mistaken. The difference between Christianity and other religions is very great. Christians receive salvation first, and only after that are they truly able to do good works. We don’t do good works in order to obtain salvation; we do good works because we have already been saved.

But here even some Christians make a big mistake. They suppose that, having been saved, they then must do good works in order to keep their salvation. But just as people cannot earn their salvation by their own effort and work, so also they cannot keep their salvation by their own effort and work (Galatians 3:3). From beginning to end, our salvation is by God’s grace, and is received through faith.

However, even though this is true, Christians must obey God and do works that please Him. If our life shows no good works or good behavior, it means that our faith is false. Good works always accompany true faith (see James 2:17 and comment).

If we take the example of a tree, we will be able to understand the relationship between faith and works. To produce fruit (that is, good works) we first have to be alive. But those who don’t believe and have not received salvation are still dead! They don’t have the power to do good works that are pleasing to God. Just as a dead tree cannot produce fruit, so those people who are dead in sin, who have not been saved, cannot do true good works; that is, works that arise out of unselfish love for God and other men. They are still trusting in their own work to save them, rather than in God’s work (Romans 4:4-5). True good works are not for our own good, but for the good of others, and show our love for God (John 14:21).

On the other hand, a living fruit tree must produce fruit. If a fruit tree bears no fruit, we know it’s just like a dead tree, or like one about to die. If we say that we believe but do not show good works, our faith is false (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:4). Good works are the proof of our faith. True faith always gives birth to good works.

According to other religions, then, people are like dead trees which hope to receive life by producing fruit. But according to the Christian religion, we must first receive life; only after that will we be able to produce fruit.

We see, therefore, that we must “use” our faith by forsaking our sins and obeying God. If we have true faith, our behavior will be completely different (Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-26). But all this is only possible for us because God has already given us the power to do these things. He gives us a new life, a new mind, and a new nature; because of this we are able to live a life pleasing to Him. Therefore, my dear friends … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13).