Salvation is Through Faith Alone

Galatians. 5:4: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

There are three extremes today with regards to salvation and Christians living. Some believe that their performance, righteousness and holiness grant them their salvation. Others believe that they are saved by grace alone but they have to do such and such in order to ‘keep’ or ‘maintain’ their salvation. And there are others who claim to be saved by grace alone but also believe that they can now do whatever they like, commit any amount of sins, and they will still be saved. None of these three positions lines up with the Scriptures.

The Scripture teaches us that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone. Salvation is justification from sin. When you get saved, you’re saved from the penalty of sins. You get saved by putting your faith in the completed work of Christ. Do you realize that even the ‘faith’ you had to exercise in order to be saved was not your own? After we’re saved, we are called unto good works, we are saved to serve Christ and not to serve sin. Therefore good work does not earn anyone salvation rather, it is the result of being saved.

You get saved by putting your faith in the completed work of Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Any belief or teaching, however popular, that salvation or even sanctification is by faith plus works is another gospel. The Bible issues a curse to those who pervert the gospel of Christ by preaching works for salvation or for sanctification – Galatians 1:6-9. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone without any deed of the Law. The Bible says in Romans 10:4 that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Any belief or teaching, however popular, that salvation or even sanctification is by faith plus works is another gospel.

Unfortunately for many preachers and many believers of today, they still think that they can get saved (or remain saved) by staying under the Law or by their own performances. This was the same problem of the Jews of Paul’s day: Listen to Paul’s own lamentation over them: Romans 10:1-3 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

In Galatians 2, we see that even the Apostle Peter had problem departing completely from trying to fulfill the demands of the Law. He became hypocritical in Antioch which made Paul rebuke him openly for not living “uprightly according to the truth of the gospel” Galatians 2:14-15. For more about the righteousness of God, please refer to The Imputed Righteousness.

Purpose of the Law

The purpose of the Law was to bring conviction and prove guilt, not for justification. The Law never justified anyone, its purpose is to reveal sin. In Romans 3:20, the Bible says “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The Law produces the knowledge of sin. It revealed sins in us by showing us the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of God which we are incapable of keeping.

In Galatians 3:22-25, the Bible says “…the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith…” The Law was not meant to bring justification. “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” Romans 4:15. The Law was meant to reveal the knowledge of sin in us, show us our weaknesses and the reason to run to Christ for justification. After one’s conversion to Christ, he is no longer under the curse of the Law, as the Law has fulfilled its divinely intended purpose. That is why the Bible says In Romans 10:4, that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” The body of Christ is not under the Law.

We are no longer under the Law, and therefore can never be justified by it.

The Curse of the Law

No one under the Law is free from the curse of the Law. Listen to the Bible:

Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

Similarly,

Galatians 5:2-3 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

According to these passages, and many more in the Bible, whoever will be under the law must keep the whole Law. But the bad news under the Law was that everyone was under this curse, none of them could meet the requirement of the Law. This is because the Bible says in James 2:10 that “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

We know that even the circumcised could not (and did not) fulfilled the demands of the Law (Galatians 6:13). So as such, without exception, everyone is cursed under the Law as clearly stated in Galatians 3:10. The Law enslaves and keeps people in bondage for as long as it takes (Galatians.4:24-25). This is why we need to be saved to begin with, and it is what we’re saved from – the curse of the Law.

Christ Delivered Us – We’re No Longer Under the Law

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ delivered us from the yoke of bondage, the curse of the Law.

Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

We are no more servants but sons, and heirs of God through Christ (Galatians 4:7). Therefore,

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Again, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:4). The body of Christ is free from the Law. We are no longer under the Law.

No One is Justified by the Works of the Law

Christ is of no effect to those who chose to remain under the Law. In Galatians 5:2, 4, Paul says “…if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Circumcision was the external ritual symbolizing acceptance of the Law. In such case, one depends on legal works rather than on God’s grace as the means of justification or salvation. Christ then is bypassed if such system is practiced today. It means the practitioners abandoned everything that Christ accomplished, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God”. In that case, “Christ shall profit you nothing…ye are fallen from grace.”

In Galatians 2:16-21, the Bible says “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ … I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” Even our Christian life did not begin by the works of the Law, but “by the hearing of faith” Galatians 3:2-6, 3:11.

Our Salvation is A Promise Made to Abraham

In Acts 13:39, the Bible says through Jesus Christ, “all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Justification is a promise that God made to Abraham, we’re supposed to receive it through faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law. If we have to work to achieve it, then it is no longer a promise or a gift. But the Bible says it is a gift. – Galatians 3:14,16-18.

Abraham’s Blessing is Not Received through the Law

Our salvation is promise that God made to Abraham 430 years before the Law was ever given (Galatians 3:17). This is what the Bible refers to as “the blessing of Abraham”. See Galatians 3:13-14; Genesis 12:1-3. Contrary to popular beliefs, Abraham’s blessing that was promised is not ‘money’ or material possessions, rather, it is justification. This justification is not “through the law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). Even Abraham was justified prior to circumcision (Romans 4:11-12). Please follow this link to learn more on the Blessing of Abraham.

Works remove grace from Salvation. Justification is by faith alone (Romans 4:4, 5). Faith is not a work performed to earn righteousness. If it requires a work or works, then it is no longer a gift or by grace. Justification is the means through which God can impute the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the sinner.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Romans 3:21-28 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Contrary to popular beliefs, Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth and the life. No one can be saved outside of the work of Jesus Christ, definitely not by anything we can do for ourselves or what anybody else (apart from Christ) can do for you. Regardless of how religious you’re, or how much you’re able to obey commandments, you will still be LOST without Christ. Also, the work of Christ is not meant to complement our own righteousness or good works. Adding anything of your own to your salvation amounts to the rejection of Jesus Christ. So do not believe ‘another’ gospel.

For further studies: John 3:36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 16:31; Romans 4:3-6,11,13, 5:17-18, 8:4, 10:3-4,9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 9:9; Galatians 2:21; Philippians. 3:9; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 1:5; 5:9, and the Book of Galatians.

For more on this, please refer to The Gospel of Salvation, under the section: How Jesus Christ Saves Us

Adding anything of your own to your salvation amounts to the rejection of Jesus Christ. So do not believe ‘another’ gospel.

In Christ, Faith Does It All

Yes, Faith! That’s all we need. According to Galatians 5:6 and 6:15, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision makes a difference “but faith which worketh by love.” In Christianity, one does not profit spiritually either by being circumcised or uncircumcised. “Faith which worketh by love” means faith that is produced by love. Faith is man’s response to God who loves us enough to send His Son to die for us. Yet it’s this divine love that produces the human faith which in turn results in justification.

Salvation must be accepted by faith in the person and finished work of Christ. Salvation is by Faith Alone—we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Not by the works of righteousness that we have done (Titus 3:5). No man will be justified by works of the Law but by the faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16). We’re justified freely by His grace (Romans 3:24-25). Christ died once for all sins, past, present, and future (Hebrews 10:12-14, 18).

In Whom We Have Redemption through His Blood

Jesus died in our place for our sins. No one else did that. But it’s not just that he died, but see the expression “…how that Christ died…” 1 Corinthians 15:3. How did Jesus die for our sin? By shedding His precious Blood on the cross! In the Old Testament, you have to make those sacrifices for forgiveness of sin – the Bible says without the shedding of blood, there is no remission – Hebrews 9:22; Leviticus 17:11.

God does not forgive sin without blood being shed. It has always been that way, and always will be. Jesus Christ came to do just that for us because of how much He loves us. God then cast out all His anger upon Jesus Christ for all the evil that we have done and still do. Jesus did all that so that if you would trust the gospel, i.e. put your faith in His shed blood (Romans 3:25), you won’t have to go to hell and pay for your own sins when you die.

Colossians. 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”

The “blood” here reminds us of the enormous price and sacrifice paid to secure our redemption. Redemption, then, is achieved by the atonement wrought by Jesus’ death. See also: Ephesians 1:7; Romans.3:24, 25; 4:25; Hebrews 9:12-15.

For more on this, please refer to The Gospel of Salvation, under the section: The Shedding of Blood

The Liberty of Grace Not for the Flesh

In Galatians 5:13-15, the Bible says “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another…” Believer are not to abuse their liberty from the Law for an occasion (opportunity) to the flesh (sinful nature). That is, don’t think freedom from the Law means you can indulge in sin; it means instead, that you are free to serve God by serving one another.

The flesh will war against the Spirit, but we will keep ourselves out of the curse of the Law if we submit ourselves to the Spirit Galatians 5:16-18. To “walk in the Spirit” means to live by the Spirit, to voluntarily submit to the Spirit who indwells us. Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help.

The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into us (Galatians 4:6). In every spiritual confrontation, the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit. One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (Galatians 5:5). The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life. The believer who “lives by the Spirit” will not fulfill (accomplish, carry out) the lust (strong desires) of the flesh (sinful nature).

So, Walk in Newness of Life

For further study on this, please read Romans 6:1-23 – Neither the submission to grace, nor the release from the Law, is to be construed as an encouragement to sin (Romans 6:1, 15). True freedom is freedom from sin. We are saved unto good works. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

For the unsaved, the sufferings or difficulties of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the torment which shall befall those who reject the Saviour Jesus Christ.  John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” But this does not have to be your lot for long. You can do something about it right now and accept Christ’s free offer of salvations, and a place “prepared” for you in heaven. All you need is to put your faith in the completed works of Jesus Christ.

You Have a Choice to Make

You have a very important choice to make right now.

Everyone has a free will. You can accept or reject the message of salvation, we are only responsible for teaching what the Bible says and let you make your own decisions. But your ‘only’ good decision today is to come to the Cross and be washed in the Blood of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:7, the Bible says: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”. See also Romans 6:23; 5:6-8, 10-11; John 3:16. Jesus Christ fully paid the penalty of your sins with His own blood. As pointed out earlier, God demands that blood be shed before sins can be forgiven. Hebrews 9:22 says there will be no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. So whose blood will it take, yours or that of Jesus Christ? It all depends on the choice you make right now!

You have now received the knowledge of salvation. All you need to do now is to believe and trust the blood to cleanse you. John 3:16 ” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.  Acts 16:30-31 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. God will accept you immediately and you will be saved.”

Would you reject Jesus today and keep trying on your own? You won’t get far with that option! Today could be your last chance! Jesus says “…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

Or would you believe and trust Jesus Christ with your life and accept the free gift of Salvation? Jesus says “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:36. The Bible says if we trust in the gospel, we are saved and sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). We have a mansion of gold in heaven when we die (John 14:1-4). Jesus says I have given eternal life to them that believe (John 10:27-28; 6:47). If you believe today and have decided to put your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, I congratulate you! You are now born again, you stand fully justified before God.—John 3:36; 5:24; Romans 5:8-9; Acts 13:39.