There are multiple Bible verses that indicate that we will be saved if we "believe" (John 3:16, Acts 16:31).
The problem is that people today equate "believe" with a mere intellectual profession, or simply giving God lip service.
The reality is that a genuine response of faith involves obedience and good works.
This is also true of a legalistic response, so what's the difference?
I believe that the difference is the motivation -- whether we do these things because we love God, or rather, because we are trying to please God. Galatians 5:6 says that a genuine faith is a working faith, motivated by love for God and a heart response to Him.
Another difference is the source of the empowerment to do the works -- is it me going at it alone, or is it Christ dwelling in me? Verses like John 14:10 and Galatians 2:20 touch on this point.
Yes, the debate between *faith* and *works* has been raging in Christianity basically since its inception.
I remember reading somewhere that Martin Luther wouldn:t even put the book of James in his German New Testament, because he believed it was totally contrary to what he had found in Romans and Galatians!
But since God:s words never lie or contradict, it just must be understood what is meant by these words.
Jesus made it pretty clear when he said *If you love me, keep my commandments*. We should keep the commandments out of love for Jesus.
And we also need to make it clear, that faith in Jesus is first before any kind of work.
The Jews work for salvation, but don:t attain it, because they:ve left out the first step - faith in Jesus.
Most Christians say they have faith, but their lack of works deny their supposed faith.
Seventh-day Adventists are basically the only group of people in the world who have the steps to salvation -
1. Believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
2. Do what he says to do in the Bible (and Ellen White books)