How is a person saved?

Early church history tells of a division between Jews and Gentiles over the basic matter of how a person is saved. The Jews thought circumcision was necessary and those who received salvation by faith did not agree.

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. (Acts 15:1-3)

However, this false idea of salvation did not cease that easily.

When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

At that, the assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about the signs and wonders God did through them among the Gentiles. James pointed out that the Old Testament prophets agreed. Peter gave his thoughts on the issue and they agreed write their decision to the Gentiles: new life in Christ should result in a changed life; they should “abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”

The recipients “rejoiced because of its encouragement” and were encouraged by Judas and Silas. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (Acts 15:1–35)

In a way, the church today has the same division. Even though the Bible says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9) there are groups that add a variety of “good works” to this message, or puts caveats into it such as, “No one can be a Christian if they drink, smoke, don’t go to church, or are not part of our group . . .” and so on. This confusion largely comes from a misunderstanding of James. He wrote:

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  . . . So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James points out that we show our faith by our works and that believing in God is no better than the demons who also believe in God. He refers to Abraham who “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” yet he demonstrated his faith by his actions. (James 2:2-26)

Actions are not the same a faith. Faith is like the rooted plant and actions are like the flowers. Genuine faith changes a person’s life in that they begin to do the things that God wants, growing in works of righteousness both in quality and quantity. That is, genuine saving faith produces a life of good deeds that were not there prior to faith. The proof of faith is not a list of certain things (like we don’t drink, we don’t chew, we don’t run with girls that do) but a deep love for God and His people. (Read 1 John)

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Lord Jesus, You have changed my life, not so I am able to be saved but because I am saved. New life from You produces new life in me. This is the wonder of the Gospel and the glory of faith. Praise Your holy name!

NOTE: These thoughts were written yesterday morning. Then Mother's Day happened! Church, brunch, watching our city's men's team play their first home gave of the season, a long nap, an Italian dinner with our son, and a needed visit with him as we have had significant trauma in our family this past two weeks. Then I fell asleep only to wake up this morning and find this had not been posted. God echos it to my heart today as well - I am saved by grace through faith, not the flowers but the plant. Today was almost perfect weather, fun, and rich in my Father's love. Much praise for our good, good Father!