Faith is the means by which we receive God's grace and salvation, while our works are the evidence of that faith, not the basis for salvation.
In sovereign grace theology, faith is viewed as the instrument through which God's grace is applied, resulting in salvation. Paul emphasizes that we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), which signifies trust in Christ's work rather than our own. While good works are a natural outflow of true faith, they do not contribute to our justification. Instead, they reflect the transformation and new birth that occur when one truly believes. Thus, faith and works are intricately linked, with faith being the root, and works being the fruit that manifests in a believer's life.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-10, James 2:17
Commentary