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WHY SANCTIFICATION IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION
READ: James 2:14 – 26 | HABIT: Sanctification
Scripture makes it clear that our eternal salvation comes by grace through faith; it does not come from ourselves but is wholly a gift of God( see Eph 2:8). So what does James mean when he asks,“ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”( Jas 2:14).
James is saying a faith without accompanying works is no saving faith at all:“ Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”( v. 17). Is James contradicting Paul? No. As Kevin DeYoung explains,
Paul is describing true and living faith; James is arguing against a false faith which consists of nothing but spiritually dead intellectual assent( vv. 17, 19, 20, 26)... Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other is the fruit. 3
As DeYoung notes, not only is holiness the goal of your redemption, it is necessary for your redemption. And as John Piper adds,“ All the obedience of believers necessary for final salvation is obedience that comes from faith( 1Th 1:3; 2Th 1:11; Gal 5:6; Heb 10:35 – 36; 11:8). If it does not come from faith it is legalism and gains nothing but deeper condemnation( Ro 9:32).” 4
Hundreds of verses in Scripture confirm that growing in holiness is necessary for our salvation.
Hundreds of verses in Scripture confirm that growing in holiness is necessary for our salvation. Because holiness is so important to spiritual formation— and for our eternal destiny!— let’ s look at some of these verses( emphasis added): 5
• The necessity of holiness—“ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord”( Heb 12:14).
• The necessity of doing good—“ Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out— those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned”( Jn 5:28 – 29).
• The necessity of obedience—“ Whoever says,‘ I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person”( 1Jn 2:4).
• The necessity to forgive others—“ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”( Mt 6:15).