Biblical Study on the Relationship Between Faith and Good Works
In recent days we have seen very interesting debates appear in public opinion regarding confrontations between Catholics and Protestants. On the one hand, because of the violence used against us and even against venerated images of the Most Excellent Mother of God or of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the false notion about the rapprochement that the Church seeks with Protestants: it is not about changing our faith but about laying foundations upon what we hold in common in order to dialogue.
What is “Sola Fide”?
It is the belief that we are saved ONLY by our faith in Jesus Christ, and that, since salvation comes only through faith, we are not obliged to do good works, or, at the very least, they count for nothing in saving us. In other words, we can perfectly well fail in charity – for example, by abandoning our neighbor in his suffering – and still be saved. Those who believe in faith alone do not fight against evil; rather, those who try to oppose it are fiercely fought against. Obstinate, they only strive to defend themselves.
The first consequence of this tremendous error is that, by common sense, it allows people to be bad, to sin as they please, since as long as they have faith that Christ saved them they will attain eternal life. And what of coherence in doing good, the unity between what I say, feel, think, and do? It does not exist, or better still, it does not matter. The Truth, the full and authentic truth, only permits and forcefully demands the triumph of Justice and of purity.
Supplanting the Holy Spirit
If this idea is so absurd and perverse, on what is it based to be defended with such fanaticism?
We can briefly recall the persecutions, the massacres, and the wars that mobilized Protestants against Catholics in the name of this idea. So then, could it be that the Bible teaches it and the Church founded by Christ departed from it?
No. That could never, ever happen, because He is her head and because the apostolic succession has been unbroken, because the Holy Spirit comforts and assists her, because the Holy Father is infallible in matters of faith and morals, and above all, because error, falsehood, has to imitate the truth.
What does this last point have to do with what we are dealing with? It is that Protestants rely on and argue from a verse of the Holy Gospel. If the reader will do us a favor and take up a copy of the Sacred Scriptures, he will be able to read in the epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians, 3,11:
“The”. But what are we saying?
It says: “The just shall live by faith alone”.
Are they right, then, that it is by faith alone that we are saved?
Absolutely NOT. Because Luther, as a self-styled ‘corrector’ of the Holy Spirit, ADDED the word ‘alone’ to that epistle. In this way, what he wanted it to say in order to support his ideas could coincide with what, from then on, could be read in the Sacred Scriptures. The new text, ‘corrected’ to his liking, supported it irrefutably. In fact, if one examines other non-Protestant translations, or ones prior to Luther’s, one can always read the same original phrase of Saint Paul, because it has been regarded as the primitive text or has been definitively removed. We read, then, the true Apostle without Luther’s adulterating addition.
Nevertheless, some are confused and others blindly close themselves off, believing that faith alone is the only way of salvation.
Examining the Origin
The extraordinary days that beheld the Incarnate Word upon the earth also witnessed the dawn of Christendom. The first men were men of faith, very faithful to their original religion, who believed in the awaited messiah. And they gave themselves body and soul to the Good News.
And the Gentiles and pagans came to know the News with tears of joy and were instructed in the faith. Since they accepted and believed, they were baptized and entered the Church of Christ. That is to say, first they believed and then they were baptized. They desired to adhere to everything and to belong to the Holy People. The good news (gospel) ran throughout the earth, and those who heard it were converted in their hearts.
We do not have to believe in order to be baptized. We are baptized, we gain access to salvation immediately, and then we are preached to, formed in the faith, and instructed in it.
In this sense, we can say that the first Christians (whose parents and ancestors did not possess the Christian faith) had to believe before being baptized, and only in that sense can we say that their faith saved them, because through it they gained access to baptism, and through baptism to salvation. We, on the other hand, were saved by the faith of our parents, who had the prudence and charity to baptize us from an early age
Common Sense and the Sacred Scriptures
As we mentioned above, it is the very Bible that they interpret arbitrarily that contradicts them abundantly. As if the word of God were not enough for them, the most elementary common sense can answer them.
Let us examine more closely the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians:
3,9 “So that those who take the way of faith receive the blessing together with the believing Abraham”. 3,10 “On the contrary, a curse weighs upon those who wish to practice the Law, for it is written: Cursed be he who “.
3,11 “By the way of the Law, no one comes to be just in the eyes of God, for “.
The depth of its content demands more careful attention. Verse 3,11 is a quotation taken from the book of Habakkuk (2,4). Let us observe carefully: it is not a simple idea or a mere saying. It is, evidently, a biblical quotation, or it would not say “it was already written”.
These are, in fact, most beautiful and forceful words of support for the just who have faith in God Our Lord, and a confirmation of the eternal condemnation of the unjust. In its real context, verse 3,11 is a message from the Apostle of the Gentiles to the nascent Church against those who still believed that it was necessary to fulfill the law of Moses in order to be saved.
Our Protestant friends will probably insist on this point, arguing that consequently those who believe in Jesus will be saved just like that, only for that reason and regardless of anything else.
But the Sacred Scriptures themselves are a double-edged sword against those who try to manipulate them even at the cost of adding or removing words. What blow do they deal to the Protestants? A simple, resounding, and final argument: verse 3,11 does not say
“the “,
but rather it says exactly, and even in their imitation Bibles they acknowledge it:
“the “
It is somewhat wearisome and limiting to live the faith from a literal or arbitrary interpretation of the Scriptures, but for those who currently live it in this way, it is important to present it in this manner.
The verse in question tells us that we believe, it is true, but if our acts demonstrate that we have no love, then our faith is of no use to us. It is like the fig tree cursed because it bore no fruit.
The ardent apostle James tells us in 2,26:
“Even as the body without the spirit is dead, so also the faith that does not produce “
Could the Scriptures be any clearer and more conclusive?
Apparently so, because Saint Paul himself (for it could be that some Protestant or evangelical school rejects James because he contradicts them) takes it upon himself to stress the matter that he teaches throughout his work. Let us read the letter to the Corinthians:
1 Cor 13,1 “If I were to speak all the tongues of men and of angels, and lacked love, I would be no more than resounding brass and a clanging cymbal.” 13,2 “If I had the gift of prophecy, knowing secret things with all manner of knowledge, and had faith enough to “
13,13 “Now we have faith, hope, and love, the three. But the greatest of “
The question is embarrassing: if, according to Saint Paul (as the Protestants want it to be), he says that we are saved only by faith, why does the same Apostle keep affirming that love is the greatest, rather than faith? And why does he keep encouraging us to do good? (2 Thess 3,13) And Paul himself stresses the point, insisting that there are people worse than those who do not believe, namely those who, after believing, return to sin.
It could be, if there is no goodwill and sincere desire to understand the Truth, that doubts still persist. Let us turn, then, to the first letter to Timothy, where it tells us:
1,18 “… you must fight the good fight with the strength that faith and a good conscience give you. Some rejected this good conscience until they were shipwrecked “
5,8 “… Whoever does not care for his own, especially for those who live with “
And even Saint Peter himself, in his second letter, warns us against false teachers:
2,15 “They abandoned the straight path and followed Balaam, son of Bosor, who went astray to earn money by doing evil. He, however, was rebuked for his folly…” 2,17 “They are wells without water, clouds driven by “
2,20 “Indeed, after having freed themselves from the vices of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, they return to those vices and let themselves be mastered by them; and it turns out that their present state is worse than the “
What does this mean, then? Simply, that even though we believe, our faith can die because of our lack of love toward our fellow men. In his epistles, the Apostle James tells us more about faith and works in an unequivocal manner, radically opposed to the Protestant thesis.
2,14 “Brethren, what profit is it if someone says he has faith, but does not demonstrate it by his manner of acting? Can his faith save him?” 2,15 “If a brother or sister lacks clothing and daily bread,” 2,16 “and one of you says to them: ‘May it go well with you; do not feel cold or hunger’, without giving them what they need, what good does it do them?” 2,17 “So it is with faith if it is not demonstrated by the manner of acting: it is “
By this point the reader is surely wondering: how is it possible that precisely the people who most pride themselves on knowing the Scriptures do not know these other statements so contrary to that single adulterated verse on which they base their faith?
Let us read in Saint Matthew about those who are in the worst condition and their just punishment:
Matthew 25,42-45 “‘For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not receive me into your house; I had no clothing and you did not clothe me; I was sick and imprisoned and you did not visit me.’ They too will ask: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty,
And the King [God] will answer them: ‘Verily I say to you, whenever you did not do it to one of these least ones, who are my brethren, you did not do it to me.’
And these [those on God’s left] shall go into everlasting punishment, and the good into “
Let us continue now with the epistle of James:
2,18-19 “And it will be easy to refute anyone: ‘You have faith and I do good works; where is your faith that produces nothing? I, for my part, will show you my faith by the good I do.’ Do you believe there is only one God? Very well. Do not forget that also “
2,21 “Remember Abraham, our father. Was he not recognized as just by his works, sacrificing his son Isaac on the altar? And you see: faith inspired his “
It is striking that there are people who learn the Scriptures by heart and yet do not meditate on or connect their content, is it not? Because even the demons believe, the Apostle tells us. For the most fervent readers, we recommend reading the passages in full: Matthew 25,31-46, and James 2,14-26.
Where Do Their Objections Stand?
The problem is thus resolved, but more questions are opened: if we still think that we believe in Jesus Christ Our Lord, we must prove it, not to others, but rather to OURSELVES. The Divine Redeemer himself told his apostles that whoever believes in Him would do greater things than He, while he asked them to believe in Him because of his own works (John 14,10)
“… Believe me:” 14,11 “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. At least believe it because of my works.” 14,12 “Verily, he who believes in me “.
Let us approach our Protestant friends, and with full confidence that God desires to convert those proud or already-converted hearts, let us ask them:
“And you, do you believe in Christ? Do you believe in love? Perhaps, dear friend, you would like to refute me, saying that the book of James is only straw, something insignificant, and that what the apostle James says does not matter much either, and that Saint Matthew the evangelist is not very important either. ‘We should follow Paul instead of James’, you tell me with the Bible in your hand. But listen, dear brother, Saint Paul is also in favor of works in order to REMAIN saved. I hear you speak, interrupting me and telling me: ‘They cut off the branches in order to graft me in’. Very well, friend. They were cut off because they did not believe, and you hold on by faith alone. But do not think so highly of yourself; rather, be careful. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you “
“Consider at once the goodness and the severity of God: he was severe with those who fell, and good to you, but on condition that you continue to be good. Otherwise, you
“Thus, Faith alone is not required to be saved. You have to bear FRUITS in order to REMAIN saved. Remember what Jesus said to those who do NOT practice
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? I will tell you whom he resembles who comes to hear my words and practices them. He is like a man who, in building his house, dug down deep and laid the foundations on the rock. A flood came and the current rushed against his house, but it could not move it because it was well built. On the contrary, he who hears my word but does not practice it is like a man who builds his house on the ground, without foundations. The current rushed against it and “Luke 6,46-49
If you still think that nowhere in the Bible is it mentioned that you have to be good to be saved, read this passage:
I am the true Vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. If any of my branches does not bear fruit, he cuts it off; and he prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it may bear more. Whoever does not remain in me will be cast out and will wither like dead branches: they must be gathered and thrown into the fire, where they burn. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I remain in the love of my Father, keeping his commands. I have told you all these things so that you may share in my joy and be fully happy. Now I give you my commandment: Love one another, as I love you.
This is what Saint Paul was referring to when he spoke in Romans 11. To remain in Christ. And how do we know if we remain in Him? By being good, AND ALSO by loving our neighbors. If we do not love our neighbors, then we are NOT in Christ, and we will be cast into the fire, where we would burn.
Is this then enough to believe that you need to obey the commandments of Christ (to love one another as He loved us), to do good works (to bear fruit) in order to remain in Him (the vine) and not be burned (in hell)?
Forgive me if this frightens you, dear friend, but I only repeat what Jesus said. And this “
Final Objections
So, I hear you ask, suffocated by the arguments and trying not so much to refute me with the Bible but rather to ridicule my words: “what does what Saint Paul said in his epistle to the Romans mean, about being saved by Faith? And why does James tell us that we have to have good works? Does the Bible not contradict itself?”
No. Not at all. Of course faith IS necessary in order to be saved. When the most sweet Redeemer presents himself to our lives, we accept him as Our Lord and Savior, and that is what saves us (for the moment). But if you stop being good, and you forget your neighbor, you are no longer in Him. And faith will not help.
Let us say this more clearly: First comes faith. And THEN, works are needed. We are not saved by works alone. We are saved because we believed, and as long as we are in the grace of Jesus Christ we will keep bearing fruit. The fruits of faith AND our works.
But shall we sin because we have passed from the [Jewish] Law to the kingdom of grace? Of course not. From the moment you gave yourselves to someone to be his servants and to carry out his orders, you must heed him and obey him. If that master is sin, you will go to death, but if you obey faith you will lead a holy life.
Another beautiful question to ask our straying brethren is the following: “When you were the slaves of sin, you felt no obligation with regard to good, but what profit did you draw from the things that now shame you? The final result is death. But now you are free from sin and you serve God; your task is to make yourselves holy, and you will have eternal life as your reward. For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. (Rom 6,15-16, 20-23) Do you see now? You cannot bear fruit if you are not in Christ; rather, you are slaves of sin. When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it was not just a word that you will not keep. You MUST keep that word. And that means letting Jesus Christ Our Lord be truly the Lord of your lives. What good is it to call him Lord, if instead of doing what He wants, we do whatever we please? It is like saying to someone: Look, here. This is my treasure. But instead of giving it to him, we hide it in a safe for ourselves. Was he not the Lord of our lives? Then why do we not let him USE that right we gave him?”
In other words, if we believe in Christ, that faith will not save us if we do not let ourselves be saved by Him. If we let ourselves be carried away by sin, then, obviously, we remain slaves of sin. Our conduct will prove whose servants we are.
The matter comes down to this point: whom do I serve? Jesus Christ, our Savior? Or Satan, who keeps us immersed in sin?
Conclusion
From the previous point, something arises that it would be absurd to deny or omit: the importance of Grace. If we do not take care to pray, we will not be able to get out of sin. Only God can pull us out, but it falls to us to call upon him so that He may set us free.
To speak of agreements between Protestants and Catholics, we must think the same thing regarding the same matter; but if we agree on this or that point and yet, in its essence or in its consequences, we differ to the point of risking salvation, we cannot at all say that we agree on that doctrinal point. We do believe that yes, salvation is indeed a gift. But a gift that entails responsibilities.
Let us recall the parable of the Talents: we clearly see how the Talents are a gift, which is salvation.
A man of noble birth set out for a distant country to be appointed king and to return at once. He called ten of his servants, gave each of them a gold coin, and told them: Put this money to work until I return. But his compatriots hated him and sent a delegation after him charged with saying: We do not want him as king.
When he returned, he had been appointed king. Then he had the servants to whom he had given money summoned, to find out how much each one had earned. The first came forward and said: “Lord, your coin produced ten more.” He answered him: “Well done, good servant; since you were faithful in little, “.
The second came and said: “Lord, your coin produced five more”. The king “You too, govern five cities”.
The third came and said: “Lord, here is your coin. I kept it wrapped in a handkerchief, because I was afraid of you. You are a demanding man, you claim what you did not “.
The king answered: “Wicked servant, I judge you by your own words. You knew that I am a demanding man, that I claim what I did not deposit and that I reap what I did not sow; then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I would have collected it with interest.” And the king said to those who were standing by: “take the coin from him and give it to the one who has ten”.
“But “.
I declare to you that to every man who has, it will be given; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
As for my enemies, who did not want me as king, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” (Luke 19,12-27)
This passage teaches us many things: First, we have to use our ‘coins’, that is, our Grace, to sanctify ourselves and to sanctify our neighbor, to seek his salvation.
The fact is that as long as we are not working for Christ, that is, listening to His divine words and doing nothing, the enemies of God, that is, the servants of the devil, will be trying to drag away all those who walk in doubt. That is why we have to work for God, not only for OUR salvation, but for the salvation of OTHERS. That is why Sola Fide falls short in this. It is useless; in its restriction it favors the action of Satan. If we do not work and bring people closer to the Truth, to the True and Holy Church founded by Christ for our salvation, even though we had the possibility, we will be guilty of letting those people be lost. And on the day of Judgment when we appear before God, our just Judge, each and every one of those souls will present themselves before us to give testimony against us. They will point at us, and we will be responsible for our inaction, for our omission, or for our sins that scandalized them.
The judge who committed the most monstrous crime in History, Pontius Pilate, did so by doing nothing, by removing himself from the matter. In the same way, we are guilty of other people being lost by doing nothing about it
If Pilate could still excuse himself on the grounds that he did not believe in the Divine Redeemer (a doubtful thing, in view of the testimony of the Gospel), we cannot, because we believe in Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Therefore, we have more responsibilities than non-believers. Do we not have Faith? Do we not love our brethren? Well then, let us use our faith, and let us bear fruit! We must save our neighbors and give them love.
The vilest criminals, the traffickers of children, of women, of weapons, or of drugs, the abortionists, or the enemies of God or of Christian civilization also believe, just as the demons also believe. Their destiny is horrible, according to the Gospel itself. And the same things will happen to those who believe in Jesus with words, but do not accept him in their hearts: They will be cut off and cast into the fire.
As good Christians, evangelicals and Protestants know that it is not out of fear that we base our faith, but out of love. But the reality of the Last Things must, obliges us to, make us reflect. The Judgment, Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell are realities that cannot be denied even if we want them to be. He who owes nothing fears nothing. That is a very wise proverb. If you love your neighbor, we will bear fruit. That is the promise that the Divine Redeemer made to all of us.
Out of love, we will bear fruit, just as by their fruits we will know the tree, according to the Gospel. “Deeds are love, and not fine words” says the popular proverb. Out of love we act, and faith without works is like a guitar without strings.
| If perhaps our brethren in Christ continue to oppose in their hearts accepting the multitude of gospel quotations and of simple reason, we can also recommend to them that they meditate on the following passages, which prove that works are indispensable for salvation:
1. The fig tree that bore no fruit (Luke 13,1-9) |
Source: Cristiandad.org
