Justified/Saved by Faith & Faith Alone

Rom 3:
21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets.

22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,

23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [c]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] [d]sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].

26 It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

Eph 2:
8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;

9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]

Rom. 3:24 and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [c]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

Rom 10:
9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

Acts 10:
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles].
(MY NOTE: As Peter spoke, (Faith comes by hearing - Rom 10:17) those hearing believed)

45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles
(MY NOTE: Thru faith alone, regeneration/Christ's salvation sealing/eternal life giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:14, Eph 4:30) was/is given!)

Posted passages proclaim Salvation/Eternal Life is given via faith in the merits/work/sin payment & resurrection of Christ. Also see 1 Jn 2:2 & 1 Jn 4:10

All I can say is read James 2.

Man is saved through faith and not by works (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9); yet genuine faith is (substantiated, evidenced) by works. (James 2:14-24).

*Christ saves us through faith based on the merits of His finished work of redemption "alone" and not based on the merits of our works.*

It is through faith "in Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 3:24; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine. (James 2:14-24) *Perfect Harmony*

How much works substantiates?

And as you read, make sure you understand the audience...the twelve tribes of Israel. Audience and context means everything.

If a man has no works...is he saved? How many works justifies a man? I thank God I'm justified by the faith of Jesus Christ. He accomplished all the works. I'm simply asked to believe. Should a believer go on to good works? Of course, but some do not and will be judged accordingly at the JSOC. Their works will be burned, but they will be saved.

Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith that works . . .

James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ~KJV



And the primary work of God is to believe in his Son, our Lord Christ Jesus . . .

John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~KJV

It's not about how much. All genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitfil.

So there must be at least one fruit?

In scripture sometimes "fruits" are fruits of the Spirit, other times fruits are converts/followers which fruit are you speaking about?

What's it take to be fruitful? Just being a Christian? Does it take discipleship? Knowing the word? Does it come automatically? Is one fruitful their entire life? If not, how could one be justified by the own works?

Don't over think it. The thief on the cross simply rebuked the other thief, defended the Lord and asked Jesus to remember him when He comes into his kingdom, demonstrating he had faith in Jesus.

Is it really about over thinking? Truth stands up to questions and examination.

Or maybe in actuality James is not addressing "empty professors" a label he would not have even known.
This letter is written prior to the Pauline letters.

There were no "false professors" in this group, why would Jews want to align themselves with a group who is being persecuted?

Because this is not what "dead faith" means.
Faith is faith. A dead faith is a faith not being used. They are saved. Full stop.

"False professors" was a concept started by Augustine when pagans came into the church after Constantine and it became okay to be a Christian and there were not being persecuted any longer.

Augustine used this concept of false professors when he interpreted James as way to argue with heretics.

We can still argue with heretics but this line of interpretation is incorrect, Augustine was incorrect, he was not a Jew and did not understand the Jewish mindset.

But who did he demonstrate that to? To whom do we justify that we are saved?

2 Corinthians 13:5...Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...

Exactly.

"in the faith" is not salvation, but obedience...

It simply means make sure you are saved...did you truly believe.

Whether to God or to others or both, regardless, his faith was demonstrated. You make this out to be much more complicated than it really is. In Matthew 12:37, Jesus said by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned. This is because our words reveal our heart condition.

Exactly what?

Yes, we have all read James 2 many times. The scriptures all agree. I hope no one is insinuating otherwise.

Works are the fruits that follow saving faith. James asserts that, and so does Paul...

Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

James 2
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Works are the result of salvation, not the cause. Lack of works implies lack of true faith.