Are We Saved by Faith Alone?

If "faith alone" means that faith that is EXPRESSED BY LOVE to God and mankind (Galatians 5:6, Matthew 22:37-40), and THAT LOVE IS EXPRESSED BY WORD AND DEED, always in name of Jesus (1 John 3:18, Colossians 3:17), and that EVERYTHING IS ROOTED BY OUR FAITH, which gives birth to OUR OBEDIENCE (Romans 1:5), including BAPTISM (which is FAITH EXPRESSING OUR LOVE FOR GOD, IN RETURN HE WASHES AWAY OUR SINS - Acts 22:16), then, and ONLY then, do I believe in the "saved by faith alone doctrine." Faith is the CONVICTION of the soul, and we stand and live by it.

Faith is the essence of the Christian life, "we walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith keeps us walking. Walking is active not passive, the same is true about walking in faith. We are NOT Saved by our own works - Eph 2:8-9 (Legalism), but our Faith is PROVEN by our Works (James 2:14-20, Matt 3:8). We will be judged indirectly by our works, but directly by the strength of an active faith.

Some use James 2:24 which says that we are not saved by faith alone, and use that verse to refute the denominational doctrine of "faith alone". James is not referring to real faith, but a mere statement of the existance of the Christ, unexpressed by love in their lives. Such so-called "faith" is not saving faith at all. Even demons confess, and tremble (James 2:19)

Paul in Romans chapters 3-4 says we are not saved by works, but by faith. Paul is referring to trying to earn their salvation by trying to prove to God their own personal worthiness to earn a heavenly home to God. Paul was writing to Jews who were trying to create their own righteousness by the Law of Moses. It seems that they believed in "works only" doctrine, and totally lacked faith in Christ. Thus, Paul and James do not contradict each other.

How can we tell if our faith is headed in the right direction? By the guidence of the New Testament, which is often called "the faith", the system of beliefs that defines the Christian walk of faith.

What God looks for is a living, breathing, walking, loving, and expressive faith. Faith not expressed in loving words and deeds is not saving faith at all.

Faith saves us from the beginning of our journey in its end (Romans 1:17), meaning to be faithful till death (Revelation 2:10). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

I believe in "faith only", as God defines it.

We must study the God's Word of faith for ourselves and not by a sermon or series of sermons by mere men to establish what faith is and what it is not.