Salvation by faith or works?

In various Bible related classes, I've come across the question of whether works are necessary for salvation, or if faith alone is enough. Sadly enough, there are some factions of Christianity that teach that one can say a simple prayer and that one is "saved" for eternity, like flipping some divine lightswitch. This is a dangerous doctine, for many are led astray by it and have a false sense of security as to their eternal fate. They are taught that because they believe, that is enough, but Scripture says that even the demons believe. It is by faith that one is saved, and faith is something that goes much deeper than mere belief. The two are related, but not interchangable. One can believe something without putting much faith into it, but if I have faith in something, then belief is an element of that faith.

I am convinced that anyone asking such a thing has a skewed view of the relationship shared by faith and works, for the two are truly inseperable. While one can do works without having faith, it is impossible to have true faith without works. Works are the natural result of faith, because when one has faith in something or someone, the very nature of faith stirs one to action.

I would certianly agree that works do not save you, for as I pointed out, anyone can do works, even one who is hopelessly lost. However, if you have true faith, then the response within you is so deep that works are the natural manifestation of that faith. Many claim to have faith while refusing to work for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. Such people are in fact faithless, and are on a very dangous track. Contrawise, there are many who put all their effort into works, such as feeding the hungry and tending the sick. In and of themselves, these are fine things, no doubt; however without faith, they will do you no good in eternity.

It's a rather simple "If P then Q" equation. If you have faith, works will follow. Think about it. If you tell a friend that you have faith in them, yet do not behave in accord with your words, then one can easily see that such proclaimations are a lie. If we claim to have faith in God, the one being who we can truly put all our faith in and will never let us down, then how much more should we be willing to do his work here on earth?

So while it is true that it is not the works themselves that save you, it is also true that they are a very real and necessary part of the path to salvation. Amen.