Misunderstood
Bible Verses on Salvation
Here
are the most confusing and often misunderstood verses in the Bible regarding
Salvation.
· James 2:24, James 2:14, James 2:20- Justified
by Works Not by Faith Alone
James
is NOT contradicting Paul by saying that we are justified by Works, not by
Faith Alone.
James
is talking about the dead faith, like the one that demons have. They know that
Jesus is God. James is addressing the fact that true faith will lead to a changed
life, with a desire for good works.
If
a person claims to have faith, but there is no trace of Godly Works, can that
faith be genuine? Mere profession of faith cannot guarantee a changed heart.
In
other words, the only way to identify true faith is good works.
After
explaining dead faith, James himself explains that Salvation is by Faith Alone,
by using the example of Abraham's faith.
James
2:23 - “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God.”
· Acts 16:31- You and Your family
“And
they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.”
This
verse is often misunderstood in the sense that if one believes in Jesus, both
him and his family will be saved. This is not true. The verse simply says that
you and your family should believe in the Lord Jesus to be saved. Each person's
faith is independent of others.
· Philippians
2:12 – Work Out Your Own Salvation
12"Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much
more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. "
This
verse is talking about the good works after Salvation, which would make us more
like Christ. Please note that it says “your own salvation”. This is not the
free Gift of Salvation offered by God. This is about your own salvation –
towards sanctification and Christlikeness.
Also,
Fear and Trembling does not mean the fear of punishment. It simply means that
we must continue in our good works with great respect and reverence that the
Lord deserves. As Psalm 2:11 says, we can rejoice with trembling. It is
impossible to rejoice with the Fear of Hell.
Psalm 2:11
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with
trembling.
All the Bible Verses that are used to support
Salvation by Works, are actually supporting Salvation by Grace, through Faith
alone. God wants us to be sure of being saved, without which we cannot love Him
as He expects us to.
