Romans 10:8-9 (NIV) “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
It is important to look at all scripture on any given topic before coming to a conclusion. All evidence must be explored to get the “whole council of God.”
Just looking at Romans 10 we do not see that those two verses are saying faith without works.
“God’s word is near…and in your heart…”
God’s Word can only be near and in your heart if you are studying it and obeying it. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” True “faith” requires an accurate knowledge of God’s Word and it requires effort on the part of the believer.
“even in my mouth”, “the word of faith which we preach.”
This is in harmony with Jesus’ words about our duty to preach. This duty is also found elsewhere in the Word.
Luk 9:60 “But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.”
Rom 10:15 “and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!”
Act 8:4 “ Now those who were scattered went from place to place preaching the word.”
So we see that if the Word of God is really in our heart it will cause us to proclaim it—profess it. Faith and Works go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other.
Faith is seen through our actions
Hebrews chapter 11 shows the power of faith. You cannot keep faith to yourself—it must be shared; it must cause you to do something.
Hebrews 11:4-6 ,“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
James 2:17-20 “In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead. But someone may say, “You have faith, and I have actions.” Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions. You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear. Do you want proof, you foolish person, that faith without actions is worthless?”
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1155: “Is It Faith or Works That Gets Us to Heaven? (Part I)”
Understanding the fundamental role of faith in our Christian walk
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1156: “Is It Faith or Works That Gets Us to Heaven? (Part II)”
The role works play in making our Christian faith transformative
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
