Happy Wednesday, Cornerstone!

Welcome to yet another Common Misconceptions. Grab a cup of coffee or drink of choice, and let’s dive in!

If you grew up in a Protestant tradition (anything other than Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox), then you probably have heard that we are saved by grace through faith. There is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation. Christ accomplished our salvation through His death and resurrection, and we receive this salvific work through faith and trust in Him. Amen!

However, we Protestants tend to take things to extremes. This ultimately leads us to believe that salvation is reduced to a mere decision through a mental assent to certain doctrines. Also, we might think that other traditions believe that they need to earn their salvation (usually Roman Catholics). However, a quick look at scripture and church history shows us that both of those things aren’t true.

It’s important to remember that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort. Indeed, Christ alone accomplishes our salvation. However, we do not obtain salvation by saying, “I believe that,” while we live an extremely unchristian life. That would be like saying “Bob is my best friend” when you haven’t talked to “Bob” in ten years, and every time he calls you, you send him to voicemail. In this hypothetical case, you’d be either delusional or a liar. But, because we Protestants tend to have a low view of what is required of us as Christians, we can often treat God like “Bob.”

This is not to say that other traditions don’t struggle with this either. They sure do. But, James helps us understand what a healthy view of our new life in Christ looks like.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14-26

Salvation doesn’t come by raising our hands at an emotional altar call at an event. It doesn’t come by signing a doctrinal statement. Our faith comes by putting our trust in Jesus Christ. If our trust is in Jesus, how we live our lives will inevitably follow. To trust that He is Lord means that we will ultimately live as if He is Lord. Nowhere does James say that we earn our salvation or that our salvation was obtained by what we have done. Once again, it is Christ who has accomplished our redemption. However, James does tell us that faith without works is dead faith and does not save us. On the other hand, works without faith are also dead.

James points back to the story of Abraham to show us that this is always how God’s people were saved. Abraham’s faith was shown in his deeds. We can say the same for Jewish Law. Israel was already God’s chosen people. They were already given the grace of God. He gave them the Law to show them how they were to express the faith they already had. God even gave Israel instructions on what to do when they failed to live up to the standard of the Law. God has always been gracious. Never has He required that we earn our faith. But, He does call us to put our trust in action.

True faith in Christ is not passive. It is active. It is because we have encountered Jesus that we live accordingly. Christ has accomplished our salvation, and our response is to repent (turn from our old way of living and turn to Christ) and believe. This type of belief is the same kind of belief that Abraham had. It was a belief that led to action. It was not the mere mental affirmation of doctrine but a deep trust in God. In the same way, our faith in Christ is expressed through shaping our lives according to the Way of Jesus.

If you have questions or want to know more, you can connect with Pastor Donnie
who would love to answer any questions you may have!