Faith is a Work

1. Work – I. 1. Something that is or was done; what a person does or did; an act, deed, proceeding, business; in pl. actions, doings
2. Some say faith is not a work, but what saith the scripture?

            Joh 6:28 – Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

            Joh 6:29 – Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

            1Th 1:3 – Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

            2Th 1:11 – Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

III. A work is something a person does; faith/believing is something a person does; therefore faith/belief is a work.

            Act 16:30 – And brought them out, and said, Sirs, WHAT MUST I DO to be saved?

            Act 16:31 – And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

            Mat 23:23 – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, judgment, mercy, and FAITH: THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, and not to leave the other undone.

1. Believing in Jesus Christ is a commandment of the law of God, and keeping commandments is work.

            1Jn 3:22 – And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

            1Jn 3:23 – And THIS IS HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT WE SHOULD BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

            Mar 1:15 – And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

1. Some will point to Rom 4:4-5 to try to prove that faith is not a work.

            Rom 4:4 – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

            Rom 4:5 – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

            Though faith is a work (Joh 6:29; 1Th 1:3) because it’s something you do (Act 16:30-31); Abraham’s faith was not considered to be work (Rom 4:4-5).

            Abraham did not believe in order to make himself righteous.

            Abraham believed in God Who justifies (makes righteous) the ungodly.

            Abraham believed that God justified him.

            Abraham didn’t have faith (trust) in his faith to make him righteous.

            This is how Abraham’s faith was not a work.

            Believing that God justified you is faith that is counted for righteousness (Rom 4:5).

            Believing that your faith justified you is faith that is counted for works.

            Most people ultimately have faith in their faith or in something else they did which they believe saved them. 

            If you don’t believe that, just ask them why they are going to heaven and they will tell you: “Because I…”