Why is faith without works dead?
James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). Faith without works is a dead faith because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart. There are many verses that say that true saving faith will result in a…
What does it mean to trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Salvation is only available through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). To trust in Jesus means to believe in Him for salvation (John 3:16). Our faith is focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ—we…
Justification vs sanctification—what are the differences?
Justification, a term used in the Bible forensically/legally, is defined as “an act of God by which those who are unrighteous in themselves are nevertheless declared righteous before God while still in the sinning state.” Justification is a deliverance from the penalty of sin and is a past action for all believers, accomplished by Christ…
Do Christians have to keep asking for forgiveness for their sins?
A frequent question is “what happens if I sin, and then I die before I have an opportunity to confess that sin to God?” Another common question is “what happens if I commit a sin, but then forget about it and never remember to confess it to God?” Both of these questions rest on a…
What is cheap grace?
The term “cheap grace” can be traced back to a book written by German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, called The Cost of Discipleship, published in 1937. In that book, Bonhoeffer defined “cheap grace” as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline. Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without…
What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
Many people speak about “having faith in Jesus,” but what exactly does this mean? The Bible uses the phrase “faith in Jesus” synonymously with belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22–23 says that “righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all…
How to repent—what does the Bible say?
Repentance is an important topic in the New Testament. John the Baptist’s message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2, see also Mark 1:15 and Luke 3:3, 8). When Jesus started His public ministry, He also called for repentance. Matthew 4:17 records, “From that time on Jesus began to preach,…
Do we contribute anything to our own salvation?
There are two ways to look at this question—from a practical point of view and a biblical point of view. First, from a practical point of view, let’s assume that a person does contribute something to his salvation. If that were possible, who would get the credit in heaven? If we somehow contribute to our…
Is there any sin that God will not forgive?
For the born-again child of God, there is no unforgivable sin. The believer’s sin was forgiven at the cross, and there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John…
What does it mean to be saved by grace?
Amazing grace—how sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see. The words of this famous hymn by John Newton seem to resonate with people of all theological persuasions: it is performed in churches of all kinds, from evangelical Christian, to…