If We are Saved by Faith, Why are Good Works Crucial?

September 28th, 2026
by Pastor Stu

Real Answers to Tough Questions

Class 3: If We Are Saved by Faith, Why Are Good Works Crucial?

Redemption Hills Church - Adult Sunday School

Pastor Stu • September 27, 2026

Jesus plus anything ruins everything. Jesus left His throne and humbly entered history. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Then, right before the cross, He paused to pray. In John 17:4 He told the Father He had completed the works He was sent to do. On the cross He cried out, "It is finished!" Not Jesus plus a good life. Not Jesus plus baptism. It's all Jesus. Here's the beauty: Jesus' work for us begins a work in us, and then a work through us. Not so God will love us, but because in Christ He already does.

Unbiblical faith: Faith + Works = Justification. This confuses a lot of people. Roman Catholicism teaches it. Cults like Mormonism and the Jehovah's Witnesses teach it. It's completely unbiblical.

Biblical faith: Justification + Works = Genuine Faith. Jesus' little brother James helps us get it right in James 2:14-19. In James 2:14 he asks, "What good is it… if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?"

Unbiblical faith: Justification − Works = Counterfeit Faith. In James 2:15-17, James gives a case study. A brother or sister has no clothes and no food, and you say, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," and do nothing. What good is that? Faith without works is dead. So let me ask you. What do dead people do? Nothing! That's lazy, lifeless religion. You can grow up in church, sit in church every week, and still wake up in hell. Church doesn't save. Christ saves. Jesus says in Matthew 7:16-19, "You will recognize them by their fruits."

Demonic faith is religious knowledge with a hard heart. In James 2:18-19, James says, "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!" Congratulations, you're a monotheist. So are the demons. In Mark 1:34 and Luke 4:41, the demons knew exactly who Jesus was. You can ace a theology test alongside them, because the test isn't fill-in-the-blank. It's fill-in-the-life. You can't touch a 50,000-volt power line and not change. You can't meet Jesus and not change either.

Demonic faith is disobedient and not repentant. Some people know who Jesus is, reject His Word, and never repent. Others treat good works like an insurance policy. "I'll do a little something, just to be covered." What a burden! Christians aren't perfect, friends. But we are transformed.

Faith and works go together like inhaling and exhaling. Billy Graham said faith takes the Gospel in, and works breathe the Gospel out. James 2:26 says faith apart from works is dead. So what comes first? Faith. Then works. Paul and James are totally in sync. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast." So is that it? Sit down and wait for the Rapture? No! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works."

We don't do good works to be saved-we do them because we are. Giving, loving, praying, serving, helping. Not to earn God's favor, but because Jesus loved us first. We've got people to disciple, The FORGE to build, churches to plant, hungry people to feed, orphans to serve, and widows to love. God doesn't need us. But like a good Dad, He loves letting His kids work alongside Him. All glory to Him, all joy to us!

To the Glory of God, Pastor Stu. Please remember to come to next week's class if you are not volunteering.