Faith and Deeds

In chapel this morning, Dr. Redick spoke about faith and read passages from Genesis and Galatians regarding Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac. He then mentioned the James passage that “faith without deeds is dead” and in contemplating that verse with the example of Abraham, a brand new thought occurred to me.

The role of deeds in our faith and salvation is a common topic of discussion. Are we saved by faith alone? Are works necessary for salvation? If not, what is their role? I have often pondered this without coming to a firm conclusion. The Bible seems pretty clear that we did nothing to merit our salvation, and yet it also seems clear that we must have good deeds. I do believe that we can do nothing to save ourselves, so in that sense it is by belief in the grace of God alone that we are saved. How could our few meager works even be enough to gain us salvation? However, I do not believe a person could be “saved” if they do not exhibit any “good fruit.” If they have no good works at all, how can they be saved? And what does “faith without deeds is dead” mean?

In thinking of this verse in light of the story of Abraham, I reached a new conclusion. Faith without deeds is dead because if you have no deeds, it shows you have no true faith. You need deeds to test and show your faith. It is not as if someone could truly have faith and not exhibit deeds… there is no faith without deeds, hence without good works, faith is dead. (And “deeds” doesn’t mean just doing good works, but obeying the Lord’s direction. If Abraham had chosen to not sacrifice Isaac, a decision no one could have blamed him for, it would have shown that he didn’t truly have faith in the goodness and promise of God.)

Faith without deeds is dead, because there is no faith without deeds. How could you really believe in God, without obeying his commands, or at least making a consistent effort to? How could you claim to believe in his promises, if you don’t act upon that belief? There can be no faith without deeds, which is why works are so important. Although you are not saved by your works, they are a sign to yourself and to God that you have really placed your faith in Him.

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