¿IS SALVATION BY FAITH ONLY, OR BY FAITH MORE WORKS?

This is perhaps the most important question in all Christian theology. This question is the reason for the Reformation - the division between the Protestant church and the Catholic church. This question is a key difference between Biblical Christianity and most sects that profess to be "Christian." Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Am I saved only by believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things?

The matter of faith alone or of faith plus works, has become difficult because of some difficult passages of the Bible to reconcile. Compare Romans 3:28, 5: 1 and Galatians 3:24 with James 2:24. Some see a difference between Paul (salvation is by faith only) and James (salvation is by faith plus works). Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith only (Ephesians 2: 8-9), while James seems to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is solved by correctly examining what Santiago was talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good work (James 2: 17-18). 

James emphasizes the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2: 20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person truly justified by faith, will have good works in his life. If a person claims to be a believer, but does not have good works in his life - then he probably does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).

Paul says the same in his writings. The good fruits that believers should have in their lives are mentioned in Galatians 5: 22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith and not by works (Ephesians 2: 8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Both Paul and James expect a changed life, "So if anyone is in Christ, new creature is; old things have passed; behold, they are all made new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). James and Paul do not disagree in their teaching about salvation. They approach the same issue from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is only by faith, while James emphasizes the fact that faith in Christ produces good works.