Can faith alone lead to salvation according to the Bible?

Salvation is obtained only by faith and not by works:

1. The Bible teaches that faith is the means by which we receive salvation.
   • Verse: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
   • Explanation: This passage shows that salvation is a gift from God received through faith and not earned by works.
2. Keeping Moses’ Law cannot save.
   • Verse: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28 NKJV)
   • Explanation: Justification, God’s declaration that we are righteous, only happens by faith.
3. Grace is based on faith.
   • Verse: “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work” (Romans 11:6 NKJV).
   • Explanation: Faith is necessary to receive God’s grace. This verse reinforces the idea that grace and works are mutually exclusive in the context of salvation. If salvation were based on works, it would cease to be the result of grace.
4. Abraham was saved by faith.
   • Verse: “And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6 NKJV)
   • Explanation: When God told Abraham to leave his family and go to the Promised Land, he obeyed the Lord. He was not saved by his obedience, however. Abraham was considered righteous by God because of his faith.
5. New Testament believers are linked to Abraham’s faith.
   • Verse: Paul linked New Testament believers with Abraham in Galatians 3:9 NKJV. “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”
   • Explanation: Just as Abraham was declared righteous based on his faith, so also we are declared righteous when we place our faith in Christ.
6. Works are the result of faith.
   • Verse: However, the book of James provides a complementary perspective, emphasizing that genuine faith results in good works. James 2:17 NKJV states, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
   • Explanation: Works are important, but they are a result of faith and serve as evidence of a transformed life rather than the means to achieve salvation. This ensures that the glory for salvation goes entirely to God, who alone can save, rather than to human effort. While we are saved by faith alone, true faith will naturally produce good works as evidence of a transformed life. Faith will produce works, but works can never produce faith.

In summary, faith alone is the means by which we receive salvation, but this faith is living and active, resulting in a life that reflects Christ’s love and obedience to God’s commands.