Can We Be Saved By Faith Alone (Without Obedience)?

“For God so loved the world that He

gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him should not perish but have

everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Scriptures Teach That Christ Died for All and Whosoever Believes

Shall Not Perish

• God would have all men to be saved– 1 Timothy 2:4 – 2 Peter 3:9

• God is no respecter of persons– Acts 10:34,35– 2 Corinthians 5:19– John 12:32– John 6:33,51– John 1:29– Titus 2:11-14

Christ Died as a Ransom for All

• Calvinists tell us He died for only the ELECT,– 1 Timothy 2:6

• Limited and perverted view– Hebrews 2:9– 1 John 2:2– Romans 5:18– 1 John 4:14– 1 Timothy 4:10

Neither Adam’s Sin Nor Christ’s Righteousness Transferred to Mankind

• The Calvinist’s glue depends on the assumption that Adam’s sin is “imputed” to all men.– Romans 4:1-11

• Impute—”reckon or put to one’s account.”

• God does not impute sin.– Romans 4:8– Ezekiel 18:4, 20– Galatians 6:5

Likewise, Calvinism Claims That Men’s Sins Are Transferred to Christ

• Calvinists teach that in order for men to be free from the guilt of sin, the sin must be transferred to Christ.– Hebrews 7:26,27

• He took our punishment—not our guilt!

• He was a perfect offering for our sin.– 2 Corinthians 5:21– 1 Peter 2:22-24– Hebrews 9:26,28; 10:11,12

Another Fallacy of Calvinism Is the Assumption That Christ’s Perfect

Righteousness Transfers to the Sinner

• Calvinists teach that Christ’s perfect righteousness covers us like an umbrella—then God sees that instead of our sinful deeds.

• Righteousness is imputed on the basis of obedient faith.– Romans 3:23-26; 6:16-18; 1 John 1:6-10

• God pronounces righteousness on those who obey His terms of pardon.– 1 John 3:7; Romans 6:13; 1 John 1:7

How Is Faith Counted (Imputed or Reckoned) for Righteousness?

• Can we be saved by faith alone (without obedience)?

• Proper understanding of works– Works of law of Moses (Galatians 3:10-12)– Man’s righteousness (Romans 10:1-3)– Works of faith (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:22)

Contrast of WorksMeritorious Works Nullify

Grace

• Works of Law of Moses– Galatians 5:3,4– Romans 4:3,4,11– Romans 11:6

• Works of man’s righteousness– Matthew 7:21-23– Matthew 15:7-9– Titus 3:5

Obedience Perfects Faith

• Works of faith (ordained by God)– Ephesians 2:10– James 2:14-26– Romans 1:5; 16:26– Romans 6;17,18– Titus 2:11,12

Abraham’s Faith

Serves as an example to us all. Romans 4:1-11• Counted (vs. 4, 3,5)

• Reckoned (vs.4,9,10)

• Imputed (vs.6,8,11,22,23,24)

• Genesis 12:1-3

• Hebrews 11:8,17-19

• James 2:20-24

Some Believers Will Be Lost

Would anyone claim these believers will be saved?

• Rulers (John 12:42,43)• Demons (James 2:19)• Demons believed and confessed Christ (Luke 4:41)

OBEDIENCE is what separates lost believers from saved believers!

Faith Without Works Is Dead

In Romans 4, Paul discussed works of merit (4:2-4; 10-12)

James 2—works of saving faith (James 2:14-26)

Obedience work of faith (1 Thess.1:3)

Faith is work of God (John 6:29)

Obedience of the faith (Romans 1:5;16:26)

James 2:24