the future of justification

come to think of it, i am not sure that the phrase 'justification by faith alone' is even in Scripture. in fact, it is clear from Scripture that 'a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone' (James 2:24, NIV). the phrase 'justification by faith alone' is not only not biblical, it is actually unbiblical.

for that matter, i am not sure that the phrase 'faith alone' is even in Scripture either. it appears to have gained currency as one of the five* sola constructs of the reformation. however, just because something is part of the reformation does not necessarily mean it is true.

ironically, luther - in defending 'justification by faith alone' - did not consider the book of James to be Scripture, thus undermining the very idea of 'Scripture alone'.

i am not saying that we should not have 'faith in Christ alone'. indeed, we should have 'faith in Christ alone'. i am saying that we should not have 'faith alone in Christ'. the point is that faith is never alone. it is always accompanied by works - that is, works of faith (the New Covenant), not works of law (the Old Covenant).

salvation, by grace, through faith, made complete by works

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works [of law] so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Ephesians 2:9 is not saying that we are not saved by works per se. indeed, we are saved by works (of faith). Ephesians 2:9 is saying that we are not saved by works (of law).

how do we know that we are saved by works (of faith)?

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works [of faith], which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

*sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), sola Christus (Christ alone) and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone)