by Joseph Yosuk Lee
R. C. Sproul summarized the Roman Catholic view and Protestant view in these simple equations:
Roman Catholic
View
faith + works = justification
Protestant View
faith = justification + works
R. C. Sproul, the author of Works or Faith?, said, “Neither view eliminate works. The protestant view eliminates human merit. It recognizes that though works are the evidence or fruit of true faith they add or contribute nothing to the meritorious (adj. deserving of praise or reward) basis of our redemption (n. the act of compensating our faults, lack, poor quality, or sin).”
Verses Supporting the Protestant View:
1) “...but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6
2) “...fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.” 1 Thessalonians 1:11
3) “constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
4) “...sacrifice and service of your faith.” Philippians 2:17
5) “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God:; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Indirect Verses Supporting the Protestant View
1) “...they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,...And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:5,8
2) “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possessions, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:14
3) “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:5
4) “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith: and whatever is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23
5) “He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living waters.’” John 7:38
6) “And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I do not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47
7) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:12
8) Read the entire Hebrews 11.
I would like to thank Westminister Professor John M. Frame for providing these verses.
