Yes, we are actually Justified by Works... ALONE!

-Jon Irenicus

Challengers of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone (or sola fide) will every now and then quote Revelations 20:12 to assert that God will actually judge all men according to their works. This particular verse, according to their interpretation, clearly states that faith alone is insufficient for man as means through which salvation is obtained, and must be coupled by human works (or good deeds) in order to have a good standing before God in the Day of judgment. Revelations 20:12 says,

• "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev 20:12 (KJV)

Does the above passage actually refutes the doctrine of justification by faith alone? If not, then how can we reconcile the seeming contradiction? Is salvation really by faith alone apart from works? or faith PLUS works?

It is true that everybody will be judged by God someday ACCORDING TO WHAT EACH ONE OF US HAD DONE. Those who failed to meet God's standard of perfection will be thrown to eternal damnation (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). On the other hand, those who are found righteous (or perfect) before God will eventually be accepted to his kingdom (Matt. 5:48; Rev. 21:27).

But does this imply works salvation? Well, in a sense maybe, but the Bible tells us that no one deserves salvation:

• "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23 (NIV)

• "We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty." Rom. 3:19 (CEV)

The apparent conclusion we have here is that ALL men are totally guilty of eternal damnation because of sin. Nobody, on the basis of merits, will be saved. In fact, nobody does good according to the Bible! (Jer. 17:23; Rom 3:12)

But....

• "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." Jn. 3:16 (KJV)

This is God's simple plan of Salvation. He gave his only Son to die in our stead so that by believing in his name we will be reconciled with God once again. Christ further said in the next few verses,

• "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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." Jn. 3:17-18 (KJV)

Those who believe in his name are not condemned. It is Christ who provided all that is needed for their salvation. The standard of God too high for human capabilities to reach is met by Christ himself so that whosoever believes in his name will be saved on the basis of his own finished work.

Salvation is naturally by works (Matt. 19:17). But since no man had worked enough to be qualified for this salvation, Christ finished the job in our behalf. All we have to do is BELIEVE (Rom. 3:21-28).

Christ's merits and atoning death on the cross are altogether sufficient enough to justify a person before God. When a sinner genuinely believe the Gospel, Christ's righteousness is imputed in him. Paul wrote,

• "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe..." Rom. 3:22 (KJV)

• "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Rom. 5:19 (KJV)

Justification is the declarative act of God by which, on the basis of the sufficiency of Christ's works, he pronounces believers to have fulfilled all of the requirements of the law which pertain to them. They are saved not because of what they've done, but because of what Christ has done.

Now, regarding Revelations 20:12; God will judge all men according to their works, yes. Those who rejected the Gospel will suffer the eternal consequences of their evil deeds. Those, on the other hand, who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be evaluated according to Christ's merits imparted to them (we will recall that God's act of imputing Christ's righteousness to the sinner will actually consider the sinner to have done the perfect obedience himself);they, therefore, will be saved.

Yes, we are justified by works alone. WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST'S WORKS ALONE to be more specific. His works alone is the sufficient basis of our justification. We can do nothing to add something to what Christ has already done. Justification is by God's grace alone which means all works, on the part of man, is totally excluded (Rom. 3:24). Paul said,

• "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." Rom. 11:6 (ESV)

Perhaps the strongest proof text for sola fide is Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:8-9:

• "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV)

As conclusion:

• He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Act. 16:30-31 (NIV)

Therefore, Rev. 20:12 is an absolutely invalid proof text to invalidate the doctrine of justification by faith. Christ's works alone is the sole basis of our justification by grace. Human works are totally excluded, lest any man should boast.

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The relationship of Faith and Works (an Evangelical view)

-Jon Irenicus

The principle of salvation by grace brings us to the question of the relationship of faith and works. It is apparent from what has been said that works do not produce salvation. Yet the biblical witness also indicates that while it is faith that leads us to justification, justification must and will invariably produce works appropriate to the nature of the new creature that has come into being.

It is well when we quote the classic text on salvation by grace, Ephesians 2:8-9, not to stop short of verse 10, which points to the outcome of this grace:

• "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10 (RV)

Saint James the Apostle puts it even more forcefully in his discussion of the relationship between faith and works which is summed up in his statement,

• "Even so faith without works is dead." Jam. 2:17 (BBE); see also v. 26.

Despite the fairly common opinion that there is a tension between Paul and James, both make essentially the same point: that the genuineness of the faith that leads to justification becomes apparent in the results which issue from it. If there are no good works, there has been no real faith nor justification.

We find support for this contention in the fact that justification is intimately linked with union with Christ. If we have become one with Christ, then we will not live according to the flesh, but rather by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-17). The union with Christ which brings justification also brings the new life. As Paul says,

• "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." 2 Cor 5:17 (KJVA)

Paul does not say that only "some" of the things that we are before are renewed, instead he says "ALL" of them are actually become new. Therefore, if our faith is really genuine, if the faith we have is the saving faith that comes from God, then we will most assuredly manifest the fruits of being born-again as we abide in Christ through faith.

• "I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (ISV)

• "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thes. 1:3 (NIV)

Therefore, a Christian does not try to save himself by his works for he trusts in Christ alone for his salvation. This does not make salvation by Grace a license to sin. A true believer of Christ obeys God in love, not in order to be saved, but because he is already saved.

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