What is 'faith alone'?

[Eternally-grateful]

"If you love me, follow my commandments." What I argued is following the Lord's commandments, grace is not lawlessness.

Lets try again.

If your doing those things to get saved, Stay saved or keep from losing salvation.

Your using legalism, or trying to be saved by works.

If your doing them out of love and gratitude to God. well then you are not trying to earn salvation. You will instead produce fruit

 

[Free]

The biggest repercussion of "by (grace through) faith alone" though is "cheap grace" or "hyper grace", which has produced hordes of fans, but few followers.

But, it's true. The problem of cheap grace and hyper-grace is improper or incomplete teaching regarding what follows being saved by grace alone through faith alone, not with the doctrine itself.

 

[Free]

Hey Free, your post really lays out the heart of the Gospel so clearly! I love how you break down justification by grace alone through faith alone—it’s like a roadmap to understanding God’s love. I see this as such a freeing truth for our hearts and minds.

From a psychology angle, the idea that we’re justified by faith, not works, can lift a huge weight off people. So many folks feel they have to earn God’s love, but Romans 3:24 reminds us it’s a gift of grace. That can bring real peace to someone struggling with guilt or shame. Historically, this was a big deal during the Reformation—think Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses, shouting that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not our efforts.

What’s a verse about grace or faith that’s really spoken to you lately? Thanks for sharing such a solid explanation!

Thank you for your kind words. It certainly does lift a weight off of people knowing that there is nothing they can do to be justified; just receive by faith.

The following verse has spoken to me lately, not only because it is all by his grace, but because it is by God's "own purpose."

2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, (ESV)

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

It is "faith alone" by grace for us to be saved, but God sends the Holy Spirit to encourage us to do "good works" only as the result, not at all the cause, of our being saved, as Ephesians 2:10 says,
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

[Eternally-grateful]

But, it's true. The problem of cheap grace and hyper-grace is improper or incomplete teaching regarding what follows being saved by grace alone through faith alone, not with the doctrine itself.

by one sacrifice I was perfected forever (grace through faith) and am now in the process of Being Sanctified (grace plus faith plus works)

 

[Eternally-grateful]

It is "faith alone" by grace for us to be saved, but God sends the Holy Spirit to encourage us to do "good works" only as the result, not at all the cause, of our being saved, as Ephesians 2:10 says,
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Amen we are saved by grace period. But God will not force it on us, He wants us to recieve in faith.

Those who are saved are created anew for good works.

 

[donadams]

Hi JLB

It's impossible to separate faith from grace, because faith is part of grace. Our faith is a gift from God. A saving faith cannot exist without grace. 'By grace through faith'. It's not a coincidence that the biblical definition for 'faith alone' that was given in the OP can also be used as a biblical definition for "grace alone". Faith and grace are completely compatible.

What is not compatible is works and grace. I'm sure that you're aware of the scripture. If it's of grace, then it is no longer of works. If it is of works, then it is no longer of grace.

J, most everyone comes to faith believing that they somehow contributed to their faith. But at some point we will all be confronted with the offence of the cross. That is, everything that we can claim as merit, that is, the works from our flesh, was nailed to the cross as sin. Anything good that comes from us is an undeserved gift from God. He gets the glory because He deserves it.

We will all respond to this in one of two ways, ultimately. We will either be humbled, or we will be offended. That will be one of the ways that the wheat is separated from the Tares.

I once was lost, and now I'm found, was blind, but now I see. That's all grace.

I pray the best for you. This is serious stuff.

God bless.

Dave

what about hope and charity?
1 cor 13:1-13

 

[JLB]

By grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone everything else is false teaching from the pit of Hell.

At some point you will have to believe what scripture says over man’s doctrine.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

 

[onlysaved]

At some point you will have to believe what scripture says over man’s doctrine.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

At some point you'll have to believe the scriptures over made made salvation.

" it is by grace you have been saved through faith. AND THIS NOT OF YOURSELVES AND NOT THE RESULT OF WORKS that no man may boast."

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead YOU WILL BE SAVED"

 

[JLB]

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead YOU WILL BE SAVED"

Yes sir.

That is the work of obedience to the Gospel command repent.

Confessing Jesus as Lord.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Lets try again.

If your doing those things to get saved, Stay saved or keep from losing salvation.

Your using legalism, or trying to be saved by works.

If your doing them out of love and gratitude to God. well then you are not trying to earn salvation. You will instead produce fruit

Work brings blessing, not salvation. You don't work for salvation, you work BECAUSE of your salvation. I'm not using legalism, I'm using logic. You wanna try again, ask yourself whether "follow my commandments" is legalism or not, don't deflect.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

But, it's true. The problem of cheap grace and hyper-grace is improper or incomplete teaching regarding what follows being saved by grace alone through faith alone, not with the doctrine itself.

Nonetheless, what follows validates salvation. Lord Jesus defended himself with the miraculous works he had done.

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (Jn. 10:37-38)

 

[JLB]

You wanna try again, ask yourself whether "follow my commandments" is legalism or not, don't deflect.

I guess people don’t understand what confessing Jesus as Lord actually means.

It means Jesus is now your Lord, the One you obey.

Obeying His commandments is not burdensome. It’s natural for the divine nature within us to obey the Spirit by which we received the divine nature.

His divine nature is love. Expressing our love for Him and His children is just a natural expression of our daily lives.


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


If a person says “I have eternal life” (know Him) but don’t keep His commandments, they are liars, and are probably not even saved.

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

I guess people don’t understand what confessing Jesus as Lord actually means.

It means Jesus is now your Lord, the One you obey.

Obeying His commandments is not burdensome. It’s natural for the divine nature within us to obey the Spirit by which we received the divine nature.

His divine nature is love. Expressing our love for Him and His children is just a natural expression of our daily lives.


For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3


If a person says “I have eternal life” (know Him) but don’t keep His commandments, they are liars, and are probably not even saved.

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4

What I oppose is presumptuously labelling with the charge "legalism" without understanding what legalism really means, why it's bad and what's problem with the alternative, i.e. "hyper grace". Some people get triggered by the mere mention of the terms "obedience", "work", "law", their inner defense mechanism is activated, they rush to defend their ego by denouncing you with such labels then blasting their doctrines at you. In fact, these concepts are interconnected, faith (in Christ) and work (of his commandments) are like two sides of the same coin, you can't have one without the other.

 

[Eternally-grateful]

Work brings blessing, not salvation. You don't work for salvation, you work BECAUSE of your salvation. I'm not using legalism, I'm using logic. You wanna try again, ask yourself whether "follow my commandments" is legalism or not, don't deflect.

amen 100%

Sadly. many use works to gain salvation.

That is the context of my post.

Justification by works

the context of my posts is not Christian growth and becoming more like God by producing fruit by obeying God and doing good works. for which we will be rewarded for

 

[Eternally-grateful]

What I oppose is presumptuously labelling with the charge "legalism" without understanding what legalism really means, why it's bad and what's problem with the alternative, i.e. "hyper grace". Some people get triggered by the mere mention of the terms "obedience", "work", "law", their inner defense mechanism is activated, they rush to defend their ego by denouncing you with such labels then blasting their doctrines at you. In fact, these concepts are interconnected, faith (in Christ) and work (of his commandments) are like two sides of the same coin, you can't have one without the other.

Legalism in effect is thinking that even one work you must do. helps you to earn your salvation.

The jew wanted to add one work (circumcision) Paul called them fools. Called them teachers of another gospel. and said they should be accursed.

Gods grace is hyper. (super abundant) it is even in the word.

Licentiousness is a false gospel (say a sinners prayer and your saved and can live however you want, ) because it has no repentance and hence has no faith (see james 2)

Licentiousness and legalism comes from the same root. Pride

The licentious says no one can tell them what to do or how to live

the legalist says they must have part in their own salvation. From a whole list of rules and regulation. to a sacramental system of works. to even small works like circumcision or water baptism

 

[JLB]

Some people get triggered by the mere mention of the terms "obedience", "work", "law"

Yes sir. Not even wanting to understand what the other person might be saying.

It seems to be a “preprogrammed response”.

 

[JLB]

Legalism in effect is thinking that even one work you must do. helps you to earn your salvation.

The jew wanted to add one work (circumcision) Paul called them fools. Called them teachers of another gospel. and said they should be accursed.

Gods grace is hyper. (super abundant) it is even in the word.

Licentiousness is a false gospel (say a sinners prayer and your saved and can live however you want, ) because it has no repentance and hence has no faith (see james 2)

Licentiousness and legalism comes from the same root. Pride

The licentious says no one can tell them what to do or how to live

the legalist says they must have part in their own salvation. From a whole list of rules and regulation. to a sacramental system of works. to even small works like circumcision or water baptism

Do you believe the “work” or effort we do to obey the Gospel is legalism?

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:8

 

[JLB]

Legalism in effect is thinking that even one work you must do. helps you to earn your salvation.

The jew wanted to add one work (circumcision) Paul called them fools. Called them teachers of another gospel. and said they should be accursed.

You mixing together the works of the law of Moses with the obedience of faith.

When we hear the gospel we must obey it, not just hear it.

You can even “believe” in Jesus as in realize He exists, but if you don’t confess Him as LORD then your believing is no more effective than the demons who believe Jesus is Lord, but they continue to serve Satan.


Do you understand how to obey the Gospel?

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

the legalist says they must have part in their own salvation. From a whole list of rules and regulation. to a sacramental system of works. to even small works like circumcision or water baptism

As I said, "Torah" primarily means teachings and instructions, not rules and regulations. Following Jesus requires the sacrifice of what you hold dear the most. Think about the young ruler, he asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, aka eternal salvation, how did Jesus answer him? Believe in me and get baptized? Nope, he listed the ten commandments, why was that? Was Jesus being legalistic? The young ruler followed all those, but that's not enough, he was asked to sell his possessions, take up the cross, and follow Jesus, and he went away with a sad face. That was a test of faith which he failed.