Over the years I have heard many Protestants say that the only way to Heaven is through Faith, and that the Catholic Church says the only way to Heaven is through works.

Let us look at the Faith only first.  In Gal 2:1 we read in NABR:

16 n[yet] who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.*

And in KJV (which version I disavow over all) we read:

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for aby the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The Catholic Church actually teaches this as well!  We FIRMLY teach and believe that only through faith in Jesus and only through faith.

Now where do works come in?

The Catholic Church teaches us that if you have faith it will be shown to those around you in your works.  The Protestants seem to twist this and say that we say on can only have salvation through good works.  Far from it!!

Where do we get this thought that your faith will show in your works?  Why the Bible of course!!  In James 2:14-26 (NARB) we read:

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” 24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

And for those of you that insist on the KJV (again a BADLY translated and BADLY edit version of the Bible):

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be knaked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And lone of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the ||spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So, if your faith does not show in your works (or actions) do you actually have faith in Jesus?

Works of the “Law” as set by God in the Old Testament definitely do not count we are told, but works or acts of Charity and Love are what are needed, and what will be shown by those of actual faith.

If there are no works of Charity and Love in ones life, there is more than likely no faith there.

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