This was an email response:
I suppose that “faith alone then after than you’ll need works” is a good summation of what I believe. On the other hand, you have to know something else about what I believe to really understand. We can do nothing without Jesus (Jn. 15:5). We fulfill the righteousness of the law by walking by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-14). God has supplied us with grace so that sin has no power over us (Rom. 6:14) and to teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts so that we can live righteously, sensibly, and godly in this present age (Tit. 2:11-12). Jesus died to purchase out of slavery to sin and to make us zealous for good works (Tit. 2:13-14). He has provided the Scriptures to thoroughly equip us for those good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). When we were saved by faith alone it was because faith brings grace (Eph. 2:8-9), and God re-creates us in Christ Jesus to do good works (Eph. 2:10). It is because of these things that God’s people are to be careful to maintain good works (Tit. 3:8). He has also provided the assemblies of our brothers and sisters so that we can help each other and provoke one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24–25). Of course, that should be happening more than every Sunday (Heb. 3:13).
We will be judged by our works (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 3:4-5), so it is good that he has given us so much so that we can do them. We also have that wonderful promise that as followers of Jesus, he will not impute sin to us (Rom. 4:1-8). Of course, this is assuming that we are walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:7), confessing our sin (1 Jn. 1:8-9), walking in the faith of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-8), and practicing righteousness on an ongoing basis (1 Jn. 3:7; cf. 1 Jn. 2:3-4).
One last promise is that God is well able to uphold us along the way, which is stated all over the New Testament (e.g., 1 Cor. 1:8; Php. 1:6; Jude 1:24). This does not happen without our effort. Again, we need to help each other along the way (1 Thes. 5:14), or else we may not make it (Acts 20:31; Rom. 11:19-22; 1 Cor. 9:27; 10:12; Eph. 5:3-8; 2 Pet. 1: 9; 2:20).
There are a lot of opinions and rumors about Constantine, the Council of Nicea, and the events of the fourth century that changed Christianity to Christendom. Not only will you get the incredible story, with all its twists, plots, and intrigues, but you will find out how history is done and never wonder what is true again.
The Rest of the Old, Old Story 
I was wondering since you mention salvation by faith alone and salvation by faith and good works a lot I was wondering on what you thought on what Calvinist and Presbyterians believed in regards to the two because I could be wrong and I don’t want to say something that is false but do they believe that only god knows who is saved or that god decides who goes to heaven or the kingdom of God.
I agree with John Piper’s position on final salvation and works. His article is here: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-god-really-save-us-by-faith-alone. Since he got in a lot of trouble with his fellow Calvinists about that article, then I have to assume I would disagree with those who disagree with Piper.
Where in scripture does it say that man is saved by “faith alone”? The only place I read the word faith coupled with alone is in James 2, and the words “not by” immediately preceed. Man is saved “not by” faith alone.
Hi Darin. Sorry it took a couple days to approve your comment. Your comment is one of my favorite things to point out to those who think we can live however we want and go to heaven, but to be fair, it is not that simple. While the only occurrence of faith alone in Scripture is “not by faith alone,” we also find “faith apart from works” and “not by works” in the Bible … quite often. Thus, we do have to have a thought-out explanation. The fact is, we have been (past tense) saved “apart from works” (Eph. 2:8-9) and “not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Tit. 3:5).
2 Peter 1:3-11 is my explanation. Verses 3-4 explain the great salvation we can receive by faith without works of any kind. We receive everything that pertains to life and godliness, we are rescued from the corruption that is in the world through lust, and we become partakers of his divine nature. This is the new creation spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 and Ephesians 2:10.
One we have received that incredible transformation, we then “diligently” add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. If these things are in us and increasing, then we will never be barren or unfruitful, and we will never stumble. If we don’t add these things, then we are blinded, and we will soon forget that we were every rescued from our old sins.
Thus, Peter concludes, “Be diligent to make your calling and election sure because if you do these things, you will never stumble. For in this way an entrance shall be supplied to you richly into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
We are saved by faith, apart from works, and that salvation is beyond anything we can understand. Once we have that salvation, we must diligently add to our faith by the new life and Spirit that is in us, and then we will reap eternal life, if we do not grow weary in doing good (Gal. 6:9).
I asked God how we would respond to you, and I believe he said, “It is enough that a man be found faithful.” I was also reminded of Jesus’ words to Thomas in John 20: “Blessed are those who have not seen, but has believed.” I think God wants to encourage you, not correct you.
Thanks Paul. I may well take you up on your kind offer of another chat soon.
I’m muddling through, but still find it hard to get an accurate view of the character of God, though I pray for grace daily. For example, I couldn’t read that latest post you put up on works Lorship without imagining a stern, exacting and angry god.
Father, grant Jon the joy of the Holy Spirit. Give him a revelation of your love. According to Ephesians 1, that knowledge of your love comes by revelation. Only you can give revelation, Lord. Let him know the height, depth, width, and breadth of the love you have shown us through Christ.
Thank you
I do need to remember you in my prayers, Jon. That is the best thing I can do for you. I think our assurance comes from fellowship with God, and the Holy Spirit’s side of our fellowship is an individual matter. We are different, so he speaks to us in different ways. Our God is a good Father, and he must make his Word and his life known to us. In Acts 17, Paul told the Athenians that they ought to “feel” for God because we live, move, and have our being in him.
You should keep commenting and communicating with me (and others) because clear communication, rather than the general bursts to the public that my blogs are, definitely help you. I don’t mind occasionally repeating that Skype session we had.
Hi Paul, it’s your old friend Jon again.
I am finding my theological questions these days are increasingly practical – trying to understand what truths look like in everyday life. I know I’ve read everything you wrote here before elsewhere, but perhaps it now provokes some slightly different questions.
You wrote:
“We can do nothing without Jesus (Jn. 15:5). We fulfill the righteousness of the law by walking by the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-14). God has supplied us with grace so that sin has no power over us (Rom. 6:14) ”
Do you have any comment (maybe a previous post) on exactly how we rely o Jesus and walk by the Spirit, rather than our own strength? I know personally that find his hard to discern the difference in experience.
You wrote:
“We also have that wonderful promise that as followers of Jesus, he will not impute sin to us (Rom. 4:1-8). Of course, this is assuming that we are walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:7), confessing our sin (1 Jn. 1:8-9), walking in the faith of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-8), and practicing righteousness on an ongoing basis (1 Jn. 3:7; cf. 1 Jn. 2:3-4).”
How can I be confident of God’s forgiveness? How does that specifically relate to walking in the faith of Abraham?
If you have a moment, please do remember me in your prayers. I feel I have made a measure of progress in the last several months, and I have perceived some small changes for the better in my spiritual life.
The same old matters still dog me though, particularly in the form of having a cold heart towards God, doubting His love and trying to perceive the work of the Holy Spirit
Many thanks and warm regards
Jon