How many works, exactly, is enough to save you?
Is it faith plus works that saves, or are works merely the outward manifestation of the faith?
James 2: 17-26
17
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18
Indeed someone might say, You have faith and I have works. Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
19
You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.
20
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?
21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.
23
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.
24
See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25
And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?
26
For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Excellent question. Good works can never pay the penalty for sin and sin is what separates us from God.
The wages of sin is DEATH. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)