The Holy Scriptures undeniably describe faith as the only thing necessary for salvation.  They also teach that good works cannot justify a person before God or contribute in the least toward the attainment of salvation.  The Old Testament says that Abram 'believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness' (Gen 15.6).  Habakkuk testifies that 'the righteous shall life by his faith' (2.4), and Jeremiah cries, 'Lord, aren't You looking for loyalty?' (5.3).

This doctrine stands in even stronger light in the books of the New Testament.  They remind us that faith, not works, is the way to salvation and blessedness.  Whenever a person sought help from Christ, we read that Christ looked only for faith. 'All things are possible for one who believes' (Mk 9.23),  Jesus told the father who needed help for his son and had failed to find it in the disciples.  To another father who had lost all hope for help with the report that his daughter was already dead, Jesus said, 'Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well' (Lk 8.50).  When another suffering father directed his petition to Him, after seeking help from the disciples in vain, Jesus replied, 'Let it be done for you as you have believed' (Mt 8.13).  This was His usual answer to those who sought His help.  Therefore, the apostles' Epistles speak in this manner: 'And to the one who does not work but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness' (Rom 4.5); 'For we hold that one is justified by faith apoart from works of the law' (Rom 3.28); and 'For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast' (Eph 2.8-9).  There is still more.  In John's Gospel, we are told that the Jews once asked Jesus, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus replied by pointing to faith: 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent' (6.28-29).

Many are ashamed to seek salvation through faith in Christ, the Savior of the sinner, and instead they build their hope for eternity on their upright life.  They carelessly regard themselves as good, without having examined their heart, their thoughts, their words, and their works.  Even if a man lives uprightly, he will daily perceive how his conscience accuses him and declares him guilty.  If a person examines himself according to the Law of God revealed in the Holy Scriptures, he will see countless flaws and weaknesses.  If he fails to find them, he must be completely blind, wantonly closing the eyes of his soul to the mirror God hold before us.

Although our sin causes us to forfeit our claim to a blessed eternity, God once again opened to us the possibility of salvation through the offer of faith.  If He had not revealed this to us, all who had come to knowledge of their sinfulness would have had to live in despair and doubt.

May no one think that this doctrine is too holy for those who are weighed down by the knowledge of their sin.  However, it is dangerous to those who are happy in the midst of their sin.  Although love and good works save no one, both are still necessary as evidences that a person is truly standing in the saving faith.  Faith and love are related and inseparably connected like a father and his child.  Whoever says he is justified through faith before God must prove himself by his love before man.  Otherwise he is a liar, for faith works through love.

(fromGod Grant It:  Daily Devotions from C.F.W. Walther, pp 235-6)

(Note:  I don't normally just copy and post something in toto without any commentary or thoughts of my own, but piece surely stands on its own and needs nothing from me!)

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