p. 1 | Faith and Works

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1889

Faith and Works

FAITH is the first great essential of the Christian life, and there are not a few who suppose that faith (by which they mean simple belief) is all that is necessary to salvation; but the Scriptures do not so teach. Says the apostle James: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him?" And again: "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

The idea is that true, or living faith, will work; if it does not work it is dead, and when it dies it ceases to be faith.

The apostle James does not stand alone in teaching that faith will manifest itself in works. John says: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." 1 John 5:1, 2. Faith in God cannot be separated from obedience to God, for "he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4.