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James 2:24 – Faith Only?
Many preachers proclaim “faith only” saves because “works cannot save”. To test that theory, let’s substitute other words to see if that holds true according to the Bible.
Can we “hear only” but not respond to what we hear and be saved? Read Romans 10.
Can we repent only? “Repent” literally means “change one’s mind.” Applying that, can we change our mind about sin but not change our actions? Read Romans 6.
Can we be converted only? This doesn’t even make sense because “convert” means “turning”. We don’t change our spiritual direction by staying the sinful course. Read Ephesians 2.
While many preachers shout from their pulpits “faith only”, they never quote the only time “faith only” appears in holy writ: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
We can no more be saved by a dead, non-working faith, than we can be saved by deaf hearing or lustful repentance. Saying it that way makes you realize those “faith only” preachers aren’t preaching the Bible only.
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