Are You Saved By Faith Alone?

This is the most crucial question when it comes to salvation. Many groups—even those that appear religious—teach that a person is saved by faith plus works. But this is a distortion of the truth. The Bible is clear: we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, this very issue sparked the Reformation, the historic movement that drew a clear line between Protestant belief and Catholic tradition

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Romans 11:6

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 5:1-2

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Titus 3:4-5

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Saved by
Grace Alone

Q&A with Pastor John Macarthur on Saved by Grace

What Does God’s Grace Mean?

Being saved by God’s grace alone means that the Lord rescues us not because of anything we have done, but because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. We don’t earn His favor—it is a gift we receive through faith. And faith itself is stirred within us by the power of God’s Word:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” – Romans 10:17

No matter how hard we try, our best efforts will never be enough to make us right with God. Scripture reminds us:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away” – Isaiah 64:6

But here is the good news: when someone places genuine faith in Jesus Christ, their life is forever changed. They are made a new creation—the old ways are gone, and God gives them new desires, new thoughts, and a heart that longs to obey and serve Him.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17