Are you saved by your faith or by your works? This has been a hotly debated topic for several centuries. While some may say that question has been definitively answered — which could be for either option — what is a Catholic supposed to believe?

No one can save themselves, no matter what they do. The cost of sin is beyond our ability to pay and Jesus, through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection, has restored our ability to have a relationship with God. But that doesn’t mean that we are not without responsibility for our salvation. In the Bible study I attend, we have been reading from the letter of James via the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible for the New Testament, and it has a spotlight on the faith versus works argument. It juxtaposes the following versus:

“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:24

“For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
Romans 3:28

Some may contest this as a contradiction within the scriptures. However the commentary explains that Paul and James are writing about two different occasions. Paul is talking about a pre-conversion approach while James is speaking from a post-conversion perspective. For those who do not have a relationship with God, they will never be able to do anything to have a relationship with Him, if they believe that their actions are required for God to notice them. It is only when they accept the Triune God and seek faith in Him, that they are able to journey towards a lasting relationship with Him. This is why Paul is saying it is through faith alone, since it is step one on a faith journey.

Conversely, James is addressing those who have already accepted God through Jesus. His point is that we don’t continue to do whatever we used to before we believed in God, but we change, we repent, and by our actions we demonstrate the faith journey we are on. When we have a relationship with God, we want to get to know Him better, we read scripture, we ponder the teachings of Jesus and attempt to put them into practice. Our love for God should spill out into the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy. We do need to be mindful, however, of the reason we are doing them: for love of God. If we are performing good actions for everyone to praise us, then we are making ourselves into God, rather than letting Him take the glory and praise. 

After our group discussed this, the next day’s Mass reading was from Matthew and seemed to concretely address the faith versus works question. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,* but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 7: 21, emphasis added) Jesus is clearly indicating that we need to seek to do God’s will. While our faith should lead us to good works, it is when we have a strong relationship with God and allow Him to direct our actions that will result in our welcome into heaven. Jesus even gives examples of those who prophesy and do “mighty deeds” for those who may be denied heaven. God is not a pushover; it’s not enough just to be “nice” and to say we believe in God. But it comes back full circle in that we cannot do anything by ourselves, we need to rely on God.

As Catholics, we are called to believe in both faith and works. Faith will prompt us to convert, repent, and turn to God. Works will be how we participate with God in seeing His will be done on earth. God does not want the status quo, He wants us to always be growing in our relationship with Him, trusting Him, and allowing Him to guide us through our life’s journey. When we embrace God’s guidance and follow His will, we will be exemplifying our faith through our works.