Faith + Nothing = Salvation + Works

Before doing this Bible study, please read the one-minute introduction: Why Salvation Always Leads to Good Works. It explains that good works are not required for salvation, but once we are saved, our love for Christ motivates us to do good works.

Consider how the passages below confirm these truths:

John 14:15,23: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments ... “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."

Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

James 2:14-26: 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.  


copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2025

What About Those Who Hate Christ?

Before doing this study, please read the one-minute introduction Those Who Hate Him: Misleading Evangelism. It talks about the danger of telling unbelievers that God loves everyone, even those who hate Him. 

While there are some elements of truth in that statement, it is dangerously misleading. Yes, God is Love (1 John 4:8), and He loves the whole world so He offers His son for our sins. But He hates wickedness. And those who refuse to turn from their wicked unbelief will be sent to Hell. 

I encourage you to examine each of the Scriptures below and consider how they should inspire us to share Christ honestly with unbelievers.

Remember that God's Word convicts people of sin and draws them to salvation. We don't need to sugarcoat the gospel to bring people to the Lord. Evangelism means sharing the bad news before explaining the good news.

Psalm 11:5: The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Romans 1:18-20: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Revelation 21:8: But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. 

Revelation 20:15: Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. 

Romans 2:5,8:  But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed... But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 

Ephesians 5:6: Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 

For further insights from R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur check out this 5 minute video HERE.

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated 2025 

Bullets and Bibles Bible Study

Please read the 1-minute devotion Bullets and Bibles as an introduction to this Bible study.

It's remarkable to hear that a Bible literally saved a soldier's life, but even more remarkable is the way the Bible can save our souls and sustain and enrich our lives.

1. List the uses and purposes of God's Word found in the following passages:

2 Timothy 3:16-17: 
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Psalm 19:7-8: The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

2. What sets the Word of God apart from every other book.

2 Timothy 3:16:
"All Scripture is God-breathed..." 

Hebrews 4:12:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Matthew 4:4:
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Let's rejoice daily in the saving power of God's Word!!


To supplement this study, check out these 1-minute devotions:
Dwelling
Sticks & Stones  

© copyright, Gail Burton Purath, 2013, BiteSizeBibleStudy@blogspot.com, edited and updated 2020