Which of these statements captures most correctly the relationship
between works, faith, and salvation? "Do good and believe" or "believe
and do good"? In the first proposition, the idea is that both doing good
and faith work together to bring about salvation, but in second
proposition, the idea is that doing good comes only as a consequence of
faith. As inconsequential as this question may seem, it is important
that we know which is true in regard to salvation.
If the first preposition, do good and believe, is true, then, salvation will cease to rest exclusively on what Christ alone did on the cross, it will depend on our good works. This stance is immediately conflicting with Ephesians 2:8 that says that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works lest anyone should boast. In other words, if salvation is a consequence of the interplay of doing good and faith, then, there is room for boasting.
On the other hand, if we assert that believing precedes doing good, then, we affirm that doing good is possible subsequent to believing in the works of Jesus Christ on the cross. This presupposes that salvation rest exclusively on what Christ did on the cross, and faith in it gives us eternal life, and makes possible doing good, and this, not in the energy of the flesh, but by the help of the Holy Spirit. This position agrees with what Ephesians 2:8 says, and also validates Ephesians 2:10 which say that we are saved unto good works.
But someone may protest this position, saying that we are simultaneously saved by good works and faith together. This will mean that salvation is a joint project between God and man. To this, my response is that the faith that saves has good works, but it is not the good works that faith makes possible that saves, but the trust in it. Having said that, it is important to also note that if a person claims to have been saved by faith, and that faith does not bear the fruits of repentance, which is good works, such a faith, according to James, is dead, and therefore, is incapable to save.
If the first preposition, do good and believe, is true, then, salvation will cease to rest exclusively on what Christ alone did on the cross, it will depend on our good works. This stance is immediately conflicting with Ephesians 2:8 that says that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works lest anyone should boast. In other words, if salvation is a consequence of the interplay of doing good and faith, then, there is room for boasting.
On the other hand, if we assert that believing precedes doing good, then, we affirm that doing good is possible subsequent to believing in the works of Jesus Christ on the cross. This presupposes that salvation rest exclusively on what Christ did on the cross, and faith in it gives us eternal life, and makes possible doing good, and this, not in the energy of the flesh, but by the help of the Holy Spirit. This position agrees with what Ephesians 2:8 says, and also validates Ephesians 2:10 which say that we are saved unto good works.
But someone may protest this position, saying that we are simultaneously saved by good works and faith together. This will mean that salvation is a joint project between God and man. To this, my response is that the faith that saves has good works, but it is not the good works that faith makes possible that saves, but the trust in it. Having said that, it is important to also note that if a person claims to have been saved by faith, and that faith does not bear the fruits of repentance, which is good works, such a faith, according to James, is dead, and therefore, is incapable to save.
Toni
