There is nothing more to do. We simply trust in him; for it is by “faith alone” we are saved.
Faith alone is a wonderful Christian doctrine which teaches that individuals are forgiven and declared right with God (justified) only through faith in Jesus, and not by their own efforts of works or obedience.
Galatians 2:16 says “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”.
So, all the good we do will not make us good with God.
Many of us struggle with this idea of faith alone.
We want to contribute something. “We are lifters, not leaners!”, we say.
We want the credit for a lifetime of trying to do the right thing in order to secure a place with God in heaven.
But even the best we do won’t make a difference.
If we ever find ourselves adding our own goodness, or our spiritual performance or even our religious devotion to be right with God and saved by him, then we are putting our faith in ourselves and not in Jesus.
That kind of faith will not save us. So then, where do good works fit into it?
It has been said ‘we are saved by faith alone, but faith is never alone’.
In other words, true faith will always produce good works.
Faith in Jesus transforms the heart so that the genuine believer will want to please God, by doing the things God desires.
Our works give evidence of a saved life.
The apostle James said that faith that does not result in good works is a “dead” faith. (James 2:17 ).
So today, are you trusting in Jesus alone to be right with God and saved by him?
And are you living out that faith, doing what God desires?
~ Contributed by Pastor Chris Taylor of the Deniliquin Baptist Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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