Professing Christians claimed that they were already saved because of their faith (alone) in Christ. They were not saved by their works but by their faith alone. Our question is, "Is this claim in accordance with the truth written on the Bible?". Is it true that the true Christians have been saved by faith alone? If we will examine the Holy Bible, the true Christians have been saved not by faith alone. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8, NKJV) Take note that the Apostle Paul on this verse didnt say that, "you have been saved through faith ALONE". There was no word alone on that verse.Then why is it that they Apostle Paul did not say, "they have been saved by faith ALONE"? Is it not enough to have faith for us to be saved? The Bible clearly answer that faith alone can't save man. 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? (James 2:14, ibid) We should not forget that faith without works is dead.17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:17, 20, ibid) And Apostle Paul even called those people who said that faith is enough for salvation, foolish men. Remember, faith became perfect because of works.22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:22, ibid) Now, if faith should be accompanied by works, what kind of works is it? Is it the works or deeds of the law of Moses? No! It is not the works according to the law of Moses.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20, ibid) Then what kind of works is it? It is the works according to the will of God.21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21, ibid) If the works that should accompany the faith is the works according to the will of God, what then is the will of God concerning Christ and Men that should be done?According to the Apostle Paul, the will of God is to gather all things in Christ. 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both[a] which are in heaven and which are on earthin Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10, ibid) Is it possible to gather all things in Christ? Yes! It is really possible. It was done by making Christ the head of the Church which is His body.22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23, ibid) In other words, the true Christians are not just claiming that they have been saved by faith, but they also made their faith perfect by fulfilling the will of God, allowing themselves to become part of the body of Christ which is His Church by entering into it. That is the reason why Christ invited man to enter by Him.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9, ibid) Entering Christ is by joining or becoming parts of His body.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:27, ibid) The body of Christ is His Church, the Church of Christ (I Colossians 1:18, Romans 16:16). This the Church which He built by Himself and claimed as His own (Matthew 16:18).Therefore, those who are truly saved by their faith are found not in any religious sects, religious groups, nor in any so-called Christians Ministries, but in the true Church of Christ. |
