I received a comment on one of my posts where the person was stating that in all dispensations, only faith was necessary for salvation. Now this is true of the current Grace dispensation, but from what I read in the Bible, I cannot agree with this comment. Works played an important part to prove that believer's faith. You see, the difference between our dispensation and all others is that we, today, are freely imputed the faith and works of Christ. This is the very foundation of God's 'grace' towards us through Christ. Other dispensations did not have the cross, and thus, their gospels required additional works to prove their faith.
Below is the comment and my reply with reasons why I disagree with this.
COMMENT:
The Jews were saved by faith alone just like we are. The OT believers looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Their faith was based on this. Those promises were fulfilled in Christ. Anyone in the OT or the NT who depends on works of any kind will NEVER be saved even for a moment. Salvation is given all by grace though the faith that God provides for us to believe.
REPLY:
I’m 100% in agreement that in our grace dispensation it is by faith alone, but I don’t agree with you regarding the other dispensations. In these dispensations, faith is the first step. In the Kingdom program they had to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. That was their step of faith, but without proving their faith with works, it is dead and useless, as James says,
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Earlier, in the gospels, Jesus said the following,
Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
One more piece of evidence is what Jesus said to Nicodemus,
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
So, if believers in that Kingdom dispensation confessed Jesus as Lord, but did not get baptized in water and Spirit, they could not enter into the Kingdom. They confessed Jesus, but since they did not do what He said, they would be cast out.
Works was necessary in these programs to get saved. Even Noah had to do something. He was a righteous man, but he still had to build the ark. If he did not, then he would have drowned with the wicked.
Maybe we can look at our dispensation from another angle. We believe in Jesus Christ and what he did for us on the cross. But if it were not that His works were imputed to us, we would also be cast into hell. The fact that we do not have to prove our faith with works is a great blessing in this grace age, as this secures our salvation in the faith and works of Christ imputed to us, of which I am eternally grateful. The other dispensations, however, did not have the works of Christ. Thus, they had to prove their faith by their own works.
The bottom line is that works is required. It starts with faith. For us in grace it also ends with faith alone. But for other believers outside of God’s imputed grace, it is very necessary to add works to their faith according to their gospel requirements and also to endure to the end, as giving up or turning back is not approved.
Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
2Pe 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
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