Faith Alone or Faith and Works?
What Truly Saves?

The Bible teaches that we are justified by faith alone, not by works or the law (Romans 3:28; Romans 4:4–5; Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 2:16). Yet, James 2:24 appears to contradict this, stating, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." How do these passages align?

Understanding this is both straightforward and vital, as it emphasizes something God holds in the highest regard: our relationship with Him over mere religion. To grasp this, we must look at the relationship of love.

If I truly love God, my actions will naturally reflect that love. This is the essence of what James emphasizes. We are justified by faith, but genuine faith is evidenced by our actions. However, actions alone cannot justify us; they are not the foundation of our salvation.

When you love someone, your actions naturally demonstrate that love. We don’t—and shouldn’t—perform acts to earn love; that’s the essence of works-based religion. A real relationship, built on love, inspires action, while works-based religion is like putting the cart before the horse. Works don’t justify us, but true faith inevitably produces them.

Understanding this is crucial because what matters most to God is our relationship with Him. God makes it clear that He doesn’t desire empty religion, sacrifices, or works—He desires our hearts. Unfortunately, many misunderstand this and fail to grasp the essence of salvation. They spend their lives trying to earn it, leading some to believe that salvation can be lost.

This misunderstanding stems from a shallow view of a loving relationship with God, leaving them trapped in a cycle of working for their faith. They struggle with the question: If salvation cannot be lost, what prevents someone from continuing in sin? The answer is simple—love. A genuine relationship with God transforms a person, and their love for Him compels them to live differently. This love and transformation are the true evidence of salvation, far beyond the confines of religion.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness, trying to rely on works and religion. God allowed this to exhaust them of that thinking. He wanted them to understand that works could not save them, so they would be ready to surrender to Jesus in love when their Savior came.