A Unique Faith?

[Guido]

If salvation is not by faith alone, then the Bible proclaims a works based system just like any other religion, and does not stand out for consideration as being the Word of God. Even Christ's death on the cross would mean nothing, as we would have to attain salvation by our own works, which according to the Apostle Paul cannot be done.

 

[DaveXR650]

Faith is unique. By definition it is different from anything else we do because it is a receiving of forgiveness and it is a deliberate giving up of any attempt to please God or merit anything from God. It is said to be "alone" because of that but unique is a good word too. Usually what happens to people is that it "occurs" to them that they are in deep jeopardy in their standing before God. Eventually, because they hear the Word of God in preaching or by reading scripture they find out that their assessment of their lost, hopeless condition is correct but that God has provided a way of pardon - by simply throwing themselves on the mercy of God and believing that He will forgive them on account of Jesus shed blood. That part you have to get right. I lean Calvinist and I think that this is all due to the work of the Holy Spirit. That part you can be wrong on or partially wrong and it won't hurt you as long as you aren't claiming that you somehow merited your salvation. Like I said, I believe that this is all the work of the Holy Spirit and it started with you being regenerated supernaturally but to the individual it will just seem like you decided to believe so if you want to say that I guess it's OK. But you are right, faith has a unique place in all this in that it is the only thing we ourselves do in our justification. Therefore it is correctly said to be "alone".

 

[37818]

If salvation is not by faith alone, then the Bible proclaims a works based system just like any other religion, and does not stand out for consideration as being the Word of God. Even Christ's death on the cross would mean nothing, as we would have to attain salvation by our own works, which according to the Apostle Paul cannot be done.

Romans 11:6, ". . . And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. . . ."

 

[kyredneck]

If salvation is not by faith alone

From the scripture it can be shown 'saved by faith' and 'justified by faith', but not once by 'faith alone'.

 

[DaveXR650]

We've been over this before, but in both cases "saved by faith" and "justified by faith" what is the only thing mentioned? Faith. Therefore it is correct to say it was faith "alone" that was mentioned. Think about and it makes sense. Faith by definition is a deliberate renouncing of everything else in your salvation and a total agreement to the extent you understand, with your present guilt before God and the rightness of his demands of the Law which you have broken. You are receiving his offer of pardon while personally acknowledging that you are bringing nothing of merit with you. So it occupies a unique place like nothing else.

 

[Alan Gross]

If salvation is not by faith alone, then the Bible proclaims a works based system just like any other religion, and does not stand out for consideration as being the Word of God. Even Christ's death on the cross would mean nothing, as we would have to attain salvation by our own works, which according to the Apostle Paul cannot be done.

Sound Biblical Truth.

 

[Alan Gross]

From the scripture it can be shown 'saved by faith' and 'justified by faith', but not once by 'faith alone'.

'justified by faith',

is not regarding the subject of Salvation.

Justification is Given by God in The Effectual Call of Romans 8:30, which is Him Granting Conviction at His Word and Repentance and Faith, i.e., at Conversion and The New Birth.

Then, they who are called are Justified.

 

[JD731]

If salvation is not by faith alone, then the Bible proclaims a works based system just like any other religion, and does not stand out for consideration as being the Word of God. Even Christ's death on the cross would mean nothing, as we would have to attain salvation by our own works, which according to the Apostle Paul cannot be done.

Define "work" in the context of your thinking for this particular thread.