Martin Luther was the progenitor of the sixteenth-century Reformation Movement. We are not surprised that his theological thinking became the core belief and doctrine of most Reformation churches.   What did Martin Luther believe regarding faith and justification?  Here are a couple of quotes from him.

“It is faith—without good works and prior to good works—that takes us to heaven. We come to God through faith alone” (Martin Luther, Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional).

“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone” (Martin Luther).

This last quote has been so often quoted by denominational leaders, pastors, and religious professors that I did not realize that he originally came from Martin Luther, but it epitomizes the main doctrine of “faith alone” churches, which, again, includes almost all mainstream denominations today.  Unfortunately for them, it is contradictory.

The second part of the statement refers to “faith that saves.”  This implies that there is a faith that does not save.  What is the faith that does not save?  If the faith that saves is never alone, the faith that does not save must be faith that is alone, but that contradicts the first part of the statement, doesn’t it?

If we are not saved by faith alone, does that mean that works are involved in our justification?  The straightforward answer is yes.  I would modify it by saying that it depends on what kind of works you are referring to when it comes to justification.  If you are referring to meritorious works, then the answer would be no.  However, when it comes to works of faith, or, as we sometimes say, “works of obedience,” the answer again is yes.

The biggest problem in understanding the place of faith and works in justification and salvation is that most misunderstand what the Bible is referring to when it contrasts faith and works.  Here is an example of what the Bible teaches.

Romans 3:27–28 (ESV)
²⁷ Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.  ²⁸ For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Here we have faith versus works when it comes to justification.  The question is, what is Paul contrasting in these verses?  Most conclude that it is any action that man takes to be justified but that is not the contrast that Paul is making.  Paul is speaking about specific works and we do not have to guess what those works are because he tells us—works of the law.  We are justified by faith rather than by works of the law.

What does Paul mean by works of the law?  He is referring to the works demanded by the law, that is, perfect works.  By perfect, I mean fault-free, sinless living.  That is what the law demanded.  Why?  Because there was no sufficient means to have sins removed under the law?  Is there scriptural evidence that the law could not remove sin?  Yes, Paul emphasized this truth when he preached at Antioch.

Acts 13:38–39 (ESV)
³⁸ Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, ³⁹ and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

What is the “everything” that Paul is referring to here?  It is obviously a reference to sin.  The law of Moses could not free people from sin.  Thus, under the law of Moses, there was only one way to be saved and that was by never sinning.  This is what the law demanded.

So, faith vs. works in the scriptures, especially as they are contrasted by Paul in his writings, is not a contrast between faith and obedience, but between faith is sinless living.  While Luther’s overall statement was contradictory, the last part was right—faith that saves is never alone.  It always involves obedience on the part of man.  The words of Christ Himself confirm this.

Mark 16:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.