Self-righeousness

[Jesse Stone]

Christians, particularly those who believe in salvation by faith alone, tend to confuse salvation and works as if they are either the same thing or are totally apart from one another. James makes clear that faith and the works that express that faith can't be arbitrarily separated. So they both are necessary. Salvation is by Jesus Christ alone. Not our faith in Jesus Christ alone. Paul (Eph 2:8-9) shows how that works. And the works we are to do are not from ourselves. They are given by God for the believer to do. Is it possible to believe in Jesus Christ without works? Not possible. For that would be a dead faith. The one who believes into Christ will begin to read the Bible, be Baptized, help the poor, etc. As a natural outcome of belief in Christ. But neither the faith nor the works will save anyone. For even the non-Christian can do the same. It's the faith and the works that express the faith of Jesus Christ that Justifies (Rom 3:22; Gal 2:16. etc. as correctly translated in the KJV. The modern versions translated such verses to say we are Justified by our own faith). Then as we are given, we will begin to do the works of God. Not out of our own faith. Rather out of the faith of Christ. Those who have believed into Christ are the extension of Jesus Christ, as the body is of the head.