Research: Majority of Americans Believe Works Are the Key to Salvation

Yes, that is living faith, "faith which worketh by love". Faith that has no works is dead faith, and dead faith cannot save.

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love." (Gal 5:6)

"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (Jam 2:14-16)

The Bible says faith works together with works, and that by works faith is made perfect. It gives the clear example of Abraham, who not only was made righteous (justified) by faith, but also by his good works along with his faith, became perfect in obedience to God.

"21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? " (Jam 2:21-22)

Our Lord counselled us to be Perfect, as His Heavenly Father is Perfect. And the Bible says, Righteous Works make our Faith Perfect.

God Bless.

Again I ask, what do you mean by 'believes'. Does that just mean that you believe that Jesus is Lord, God, and Savior. Or does it mean that you believe that Jesus is Lord, God, and Savior and in all that He taught us and commanded us to do?

Can you get to heaven if you don't love Jesus? I don't think so. Jesus asked His disciples a very pointed question at the Last Supper, "How can you say you love Me if you don't obey My commandments?" Obeying Jesus' commandments means doing something.

So, what do you mean by 'believing in Christ'? Is it a truncated/limited belief or a belief in Christ and all that He taught and commanded?

owever, I do have a question, You said american dispensationalsim has taugh that faith is a work, where did you com

The Americans have had years of dispensational teaching that mankind makes the choice for or against God that in its self is a work. Thinking works work should not be a surprise

once again i did not say anything about faith.

The Americans have had years of dispensational teaching that mankind makes the choice for or against God that in its self is a work.

Here are my thoughts on faith

Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I place my faith in Jesus Christ. Being that this is a Christian chat site it should go without saying that if you believe in Him you’re putting your faith in Him, but obviously that’s not the case.

Sadly I see some people straining out a gnat yet swallowing a camel which is heartbreaking because we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lets look again

I see no difference in you saying this, and saying faith is a work. They are both the same to me Thats why I said what you said.

We do not chose God (not sure where this thought even comes from). We chose to trust him, and receive his salvation. The notion that the tax collector chose God makes no sense. The tax collector chose to humble himself and fall on his face and call out to God. Instead of continuing in unbelief. He did not chose God

Again, Dispensational teaching does not teach we chose God. I do not know where this false thinking about my faith comes from.


This is not talking about the faith that saves, This is talking about a believer's faith. People have special gifts. These gifts are based on the measure of faith God gives.

It has nothing to do with whether a man chooses to trust in Gods way for salvation. God gives the people the capacity and means to trust him. Its up to them whether they chose to act on that or not.

Sadly. many do not. and will die in unbelief

I see no difference in you saying this, and saying faith is a work. They are both the same to me Thats why I said what you said.

So would you accept other members changing what you post because that is there understanding. Had you said something like " i see them the same" in your first reply my thoughts of you would be quite different. .

My understanding of Dispensationalism comes from being into for about 40 years.

It is obvious from verse 13 that Paul is not calling for the negation of God's law. When Paul cites 'works
of the law' all need to research as to what he means by works of the law. What law is he speaking of?

I stand by what I said.

I notice you did not even mention the comment about the tax collector and how he did not chose God


Yet in my 40 years of deep dispensational understanding and fellowship with people all over the United States. I have never heard anyone make a claim you have attributed to them

I guess you were in a special group.

You still have not answer my question.

The Americans have had years of dispensational teaching that mankind makes the choice for or against God that in its self is a work. Thinking works work should not be a surprise

I was making a point, because I know many who think faith is a work. It usually comes in in the calvin vs arminian debates.

however, I do have a question, You said american dispensationalsim has taugh that faith is a work, where did you come up with this view. I am an american dispensational and I have never heard that faith is a work. Nor does anyone I know teach this..

This is God plus us. grace plus works

look at it this way

Salvation (faith plus works) = justification (faith) plus sanctification (works) plus perseverance (works)

Grace and works can not mix..

Here is my first post on this topic.#128 In post# 130 you Asked 'how is faith a work'
Post #131 my reply "Did i say faith was a work ? "
Post#138
Can your please post my words saying faith is a work? cant find them? cause i dont believe faith is a work. as i posted in # 143
Here are my thoughts on faith

Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Post #144 Maybe this post shows the misunderstanding I said in post 128 The Americans have had years of dispensational teaching that mankind makes the choice for or against God that in its self is a work. Thinking works work should not be a surprise. Could be my choice of words would have been better to say The Americans have had years of dispensational teaching that mankind makes the choice for or against God Salvation that in its self is a work. Thinking works work should not be a surprise.

In Post #144 you said I see no difference in you saying this, and saying faith is a work. They are both the same to me Thats why I said what you said. I will say to you i see no difference in God or Salvation . Is not choosing Salvation choosing God?

Post #146 is just about a repeat and stating i was a dispensationalist for about 40 years . I will add here just for the info: Assemblies of God dispensationalist.
Post# 149 you tell me you stand by your falsehood of my post. As to your thoughts of the tax collector they prove my point.

Hi Xavier,
How much faith must one have until God’s transforming work begins?

Hi Everlasting Grace.

Did you see the quote from Jn 6:29 above? "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent". Even our faith is the work of God's Grace within us. So if God's work in us (faith) can contribute to our justification, why can't God's works in us (good works done after justification) contribute to our sanctification? I disagree that sanctification is purely works. Sanctification is a fruit of justification, which is by God's Grace, but also requires our co-operation. Justification is instantaneous, Sanctification a process.

Can you explain why many verses in the Bible promise a reward for good works/labors done in faith? Labors done without faith have no reward, as without faith it is impossible to please God, but many verses clearly say each one will be rewarded according to his labors. Example: "8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." (1 Cor 3:8) The works we do after justification are God's works within us. The works we do before justification are our own works. The former sanctify and have a reward in Heaven. The latter do not. It is God's Grace itself that enables us to do these.

In 1 Cor 3:14-15, the same theme is developed: "14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon [i.e. with faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation], he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Cor 3:14-15)

Someone earlier said "works for rewards" is an idea of our "fallen nature". No, it is an idea of many texts in the Bible such as the above.

God Bless.

I am sorry sister. You seem to just keep beating around the bush.

You stated and I quote "makes the choice for or against God that in its self is a work. "

American dispensationalism teaches that we are saved by grace through faith. So in effect. You are claiming, that when we chose to trust God in faith, that we are choosing God, and that is a work.

you can try to spin it if you want.But in fact. that is what you are accusing me and those like me of doing.

As for assembly of God. and them saying that we must CHOSE GOD.

I looked up their main web "https://ag.org/en" and this is what they say about being saved.

1. e. First of all, salvation is necessary. You need to be saved. That fact is clearly taught throughout the Bible. It says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Man in his natural condition is alienated from God. He is a sinner by nature and by practice. He may be a refined sinner-very cultured, decent, and respectable-yet he is a sinner. He must receive forgiveness and cleansing and a new nature in order to be fit for heaven. This is true of every person in the world, even good people. It was to a very religious man that Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

2. In the second place, you should notice that it’s our Lord Jesus Christ who saves men. He bore our sins in His own body on the cross, the Bible says (1 Peter 2:24). “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). No man can save his own soul. Neither can one man save another’s soul. As the poet put it: “There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate Of heau’n, and let us in;”

3. The third thing to notice in the text is the simplicity of salvation. Even a child can understand it. All you need to do is “call on the name of the Lord.” Do you remember reading about that night when Jesus was walking on the water, and Peter started doing the same, but suddenly he began to sink? Peter didn’t have time to make a long prayer. He just had time to cry out; “Lord, save me,” but that was enough. The Bible says that “Jesus stretched forth his hand and took hold of him.” He will do the same for you.

Of course, there must be faith in your heart. You must believe these things that you have been reading; namely, that you need to be saved, and that only Christ can save you. Furthermore, you must believe that He will save you. Jesus said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). You must take action. You must call upon Him.

so what we have here is

1. Faith that I am in a sinner and deserving of judgment
2. Faith that what God has come to offer me, He will provide
3. Call out on the name of the lord, and you will be saved (like in the example above when peter simply called out, and the example of the tax collector who got on his knees and called out)

Can you tell me in the above where assembly of God teaches one must CHOSE GOD? and how THAT IS A WORK?

because I do not see it..

and one last time/ Will you PLEASE tell me how the tax collector CHOSE GOD? and how that was a work?

did you or did you not say this?

Salvation = Justification + Sanctification + Perseverance.

Yes, I did and I stand by it.

Now, please explain 1 Cor 3:8, 14 and 15 cited to you in the last post. Good Works, done with Faith in Christ, have their Reward in Heaven.

2 Pet 1:5-11, which I cited to Crossnote, develops similar themes. It explains what happens if we neglect Good works and if we do not.

God Bless.

Playing word games is your thing.. you tell me i beat around the bush when you directly lied about what i posted nice try . You lied for all the world to see with out remorse.