Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Email Subscription
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Home
→
Grace in Focus Articles
→
Salvation by the Installment Plan?

Salvation by the Installment Plan?

November 1, 2017 by Phil Congdon in Grace in Focus Articles

By Phil Congdon

Many Bible teachers are fond of a saying that goes like this: “You are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” Doesn’t that sound neat? It states a fundamental truth—that we are saved by faith alone—then turns around and states that while it is faith alone that saves us, that faith is never alone. This saying is used to teach the idea that if a person puts his faith in Jesus Christ, but doesn’t live a right kind of life, he isn’t saved. But wait a minute; let’s plug in our logical minds for a minute and see if this is really neat—or nonsense.

The phrase “You are saved by faith alone” is obviously true. Scripture repeatedly tells us that it is faith alone without works which saves (e.g., Eph 2:8-9). But what does the second phrase say? Incredibly it says exactly the opposite. We can paraphrase the saying this way: “Faith [in Christ] alone saves you, but if your faith [in Christ] is alone, it doesn’t save you.” This kind of illogical thinking allows some theologians to turn the truth of the gospel on its head and make salvation a result of faith plus good works.

In response, these teachers state that they do not mean faith + works = salvation, but rather faith = salvation + works. But the end result is the same. If I pay cash for a car and drive it home, it is no different than if I were to drive it home and pay for it over the next few years. It doesn’t matter when you pay—before or after you take possession. If you ever have to do good works to be saved, salvation isn’t free; it’s something you earn.

The Apostle Paul knew this. That’s why he wrote, “To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness” (Rom 4:5).

____________________

Phil Congdon is senior pastor of New Braunfels Bible Church in TX.

*This article appeared in Grace in Focus in October of 1989.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • StumbleUpon
Phil Congdon

by Phil Congdon

Phil Congdon is Senior Pastor at New Braunfels (TX) Bible Church.

Leave a comment Cancel Reply

We like to allow comments for a short period after an article is posted, and we want to continue this policy, but some people abuse the comments. To avoid being banned from commenting, please observe a few simple rules.

  1. Please limit your comments to 1500 characters (about 250 words) or less.
  2. Do not try to get around this limitation by splitting up your long comment into multiple short comments.
  3. You are allowed to submit 4 comments or replies per post.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cart

Recently Added

February 15, 2019

Doing Greater Works Than Jesus Did (John 14:12)

This great question got buried in my Inbox: “Hey GES! I was wondering, in John 14:12, it seems that Christ is saying that work is a...
February 14, 2019

Taken on Testimony

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how’s your pain?”  Often, my kids will come and say they have a headache or a tummy ache, or their throat is sore, or they...

Grace In Focus

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Power to Stand: An Exposition of Jude $9.00 $5.00
  • Harmony with God $9.95 $5.00
  • The Epistles of John (Reprint) $8.95 $5.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
  • The Ten Most Misunderstood Words in the Bible $9.95 $5.00
Grace Evangelical Society
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202