Understanding Grace, Faith, and Good Works: A Biblical Path to Salvation

Explore biblical truths on grace, faith, and good works from the Bible and LDS Quad, guiding you to salvation beyond “faith alone” with practical scriptures to study.

By Michael B. Nhem

As a Polysomnographic Technologist who finds peace in the restored gospel, I’ve spent years studying true doctrines to counter the confusion in Christendom. A simple conversation with a co-worker years ago sparked this journey—a journey that deepened my understanding of grace, faith, and good works, and reinforced the joy I’ve found in my 34-year temple-sealed marriage. The Bible and LDS Quad (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) reveal a clear path to salvation, rejecting man-made teachings like “faith alone” and “once saved, always saved.” Let’s explore these interconnected principles and see how they lead to eternal happiness.

A Conversation That Changed My Perspective

A few years ago, while working a late shift, I chatted with a co-worker about faith. He shared, “I’ve been saved recently. Having faith in Jesus Christ makes me feel better, even though I’m secretly seeing my girlfriend while married to my wife.” I was stunned. Another co-worker chimed in, “You can’t judge him—he’s already saved.” This “once saved, always saved” mindset left me searching for truth. How could salvation be so passive? As a father of four who has felt the sanctifying power of temple covenants, I knew there was more to God’s plan. I turned to the Bible and LDS Quad, studying daily, watching videos, and reading articles. What I found was a profound harmony of grace, faith, and good works—principles that reject the idea of salvation without obedience.

Grace: The Enabling Power of Christ

Grace is God’s divine gift, extended through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As defined by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grace is the enabling power and spiritual healing offered through Christ’s mercy and love. It ensures all will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:20–22: “But now is Christ risen from the dead… For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive”; 2 Nephi 9:6–7), and it empowers us to overcome sin and weakness.

Through grace, we can be sanctified. Doctrine and Covenants 20:31 teaches, “We know that… sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God.” This grace isn’t a free pass—it requires action. Ephesians 2:8–9 states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast,” but verse 10 adds, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Grace enables us to do good, as Ether 12:27 promises: “If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness… my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me.”

Faith: A Principle of Action

Faith in Jesus Christ is more than belief—it’s a principle of action and power. Hebrews 11:1 defines it: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Alma 32:21 echoes, “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge… but if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.” True faith, as Romans 10:17 teaches, comes “by hearing… the word of God,” and it moves us to obedience.

The Book of Mormon illustrates this vividly. In Alma 7:24, Alma teaches, “See that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” Faith without action is incomplete. James 2:19–20 warns, “The devils also believe, and tremble… faith without works is dead.” My co-worker’s “faith” didn’t lead to righteousness—it led to continued sin. True faith, as Jacob 4:6 explains, empowers us to “search the prophets… [and] command in the name of Jesus,” producing miracles and obedience.

Good Works: The Manifestation of Faith

Good works are the natural fruit of faith and grace. Matthew 5:16 instructs, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Revelation 20:12 reinforces, “The dead were judged… according to their works.” The Bible and LDS Quad consistently teach that works matter.

Consider 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound toward you… that ye… may abound to every good work.” Or Mosiah 5:15: “Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ… may seal you his.” Good works include repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (Acts 2:38; Matthew 24:13). They also encompass charity—1 Corinthians 13:13 declares, “The greatest of these is charity”—and humility, as 1 Peter 5:5–6 promises grace to the humble.

Additional scriptures highlight the necessity of works:

• Titus 2:14: Christ “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
• Doctrine and Covenants 58:27: “Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.”
• Alma 34:32: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God… to perform their labors.”

The False Doctrines of “Faith Alone” and “Once Saved, Always Saved”

The idea of “faith alone” or “once saved, always saved” contradicts scripture. My co-worker’s belief that he could sin without consequence reflects this misunderstanding. John 3:5 is clear: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 7:21 adds, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father.”

Revelation 2:4–5 warns the Ephesians, already “saved” (Ephesians 2:8–9), to “repent, and do the first works; or else I will… remove thy candlestick.” If salvation were permanent, why the call to repent? Philippians 2:12 urges, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The Book of Mormon clarifies further—2 Nephi 31:20 teaches, “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ… feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end… ye shall have eternal life.” Salvation requires continual effort, not a one-time declaration.

James and Paul: A Unified Message

Some see a contradiction between James 2:24 (“By works a man is justified, and not by faith only”) and Romans 3:28 (“A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”). But James and Paul are unified. Paul addresses justification before God through faith, not the Mosaic law, while James emphasizes that true faith produces works. As friends in the early Church (Acts 15:13–29), they taught complementary truths. Paul himself says in Galatians 5:6, “Faith which worketh by love,” and 1 Corinthians 9:21, “I am… under the law to Christ.” Together, they affirm that faith and works are inseparable for salvation.

The Path to Salvation: A Big Picture

The gospel’s “big picture” integrates grace, faith, and good works. John 3:16 promises, “Whosoever believeth in [Christ] should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Moses 1:39 adds, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Through Christ’s Atonement, we’re saved from physical death (immortality), but eternal life requires obedience.

This path includes:

1. Faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8).
2. Repentance (Acts 3:19: “Repent ye… that your sins may be blotted out”).
3. Baptism by proper authority (John 3:5; 2 Nephi 31:5).
4. Receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17).
5. Enduring to the end through good works (Matthew 24:13; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7: “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life”).

Living these principles has brought me joy—like the unity of my family through temple covenants and the global consistency of the Church I’ve witnessed in places like Battambang and Pine Valley. I invite you to study these truths, pray as Moroni 10:4–5 counsels, and contact me to learn more.

Scriptures to Deepen Your Understanding

Below is a collection of scriptures from the Bible and LDS Quad to help you explore the principles of grace, faith, and good works. Each verse is followed by a short summary to guide your study. I encourage you to read these in their full context to see how they work together in God’s plan for our happiness and salvation.

Grace

• John 1:16–17: “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
  Summary: Christ brings grace, building on the law of Moses, enabling us to receive His fulness through obedience.
• Romans 3:23–24: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
  Summary: Grace justifies us despite our sins, through Christ’s redemptive Atonement, making salvation possible.
• Romans 5:20–21: “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
  Summary: Grace overcomes sin’s dominion, leading us to eternal life through Christ’s righteousness.
• Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
  Summary: Grace, a divine gift, saves us through faith, not by our own merits, preventing pride.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
  Summary: God’s grace empowers us to perform good works, ensuring we have what we need to serve Him.
• 1 Peter 5:5–6: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder… for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
  Summary: Grace is given to the humble, exalting those who submit to God’s will.
• 2 Nephi 2:8: “Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”
  Summary: Christ’s grace is essential for us to dwell with God, as no one can return to His presence without it.
• 2 Nephi 9:6–7: “For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection… Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement.”
  Summary: Grace through Christ’s infinite Atonement ensures resurrection for all, fulfilling God’s merciful plan.
• Ether 12:27: “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness… my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
  Summary: Christ’s grace strengthens our weaknesses when we humble ourselves and exercise faith in Him.
• Doctrine and Covenants 20:31: “And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.”
  Summary: Grace sanctifies those who love and serve God fully, purifying them for His presence.

Faith

• Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them… If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
  Summary: Even small faith in Christ can produce miracles, showing its power to overcome challenges.
• Mark 11:22–24: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed… and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe… he shall have whatsoever he saith.”
  Summary: Faith in God, without doubt, enables miraculous outcomes through belief and prayer.
• Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  Summary: Faith grows by hearing God’s word, emphasizing the importance of scripture and testimony.
• Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
  Summary: Faith is effective when it works through love, not through outdated rituals like circumcision.
• Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
  Summary: Faith gives reality to unseen hopes, providing assurance of God’s promises.
• Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
  Summary: Faith is essential to please God, requiring belief in Him and His rewards for seekers.
• James 1:6–8: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed… A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
  Summary: Faith must be unwavering when asking God, as doubt leads to instability.
• James 2:19–20: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
  Summary: Mere belief isn’t enough—true faith requires works, unlike the devils’ trembling belief.
• 1 Timothy 1:16: “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”
  Summary: Paul’s faith and mercy show a pattern for believers, leading to everlasting life through Christ.
• 2 Nephi 26:13: “And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.”
  Summary: Christ reveals Himself to all who have faith, working miracles across nations through the Holy Ghost.
• Alma 7:24: “And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.”
  Summary: Faith, paired with hope and charity, naturally leads to abundant good works.
• Alma 32:21: “And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”
  Summary: Faith involves hoping for true things not yet seen, distinct from perfect knowledge.
• Jacob 4:6: “Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.”
  Summary: Faith, strengthened by prophecy and revelation, becomes unshaken, enabling miraculous power in Christ’s name.

Good Works

• Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
  Summary: Good works shine as a light, inspiring others to glorify God through your actions.
• Matthew 7:21: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
  Summary: Doing God’s will through good works, not just professing faith, leads to heaven.
• Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
  Summary: Christ will reward us at His coming based on our works, not just our beliefs.
• Matthew 25:34–40: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father… For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat… Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
  Summary: Serving others through good works (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked) is serving Christ, earning His blessing.
• John 14:12: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
  Summary: Believers will do Christ’s works and even greater ones, showing faith through action.
• Acts 10:35: “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
  Summary: God accepts those who fear Him and work righteousness, regardless of their nation.
• Romans 2:13: “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
  Summary: Doing God’s law, not just hearing it, justifies us before Him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
  Summary: We’ll be judged by our works, both good and bad, at Christ’s judgment seat.
• Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
  Summary: God created us to walk in good works, fulfilling His divine plan through Christ.
• Titus 2:14: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
  Summary: Christ’s sacrifice purifies us to be a people eager to perform good works.
• Titus 3:8: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.”
  Summary: Believers must consistently maintain good works, as a true reflection of faith.
• James 1:22–25: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only… whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
  Summary: Doing God’s word, not just hearing it, brings blessings through active obedience.
• James 2:22–24: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? … Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
  Summary: Works perfect faith, as seen in Abraham, justifying us alongside faith, not faith alone.
• 1 Peter 2:12: “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
  Summary: Good works can lead others to glorify God, even when they initially oppose you.
• Revelation 20:12: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God… and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
  Summary: At the final judgment, all will be judged by their works recorded in God’s books.
• Revelation 22:12: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
  Summary: Christ will reward each person according to their works when He returns.
• 2 Nephi 31:20: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men… and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
  Summary: Enduring in good works with hope and love leads to eternal life, as promised by God.
• Mosiah 5:15: “Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven.”
  Summary: Abounding in good works ensures Christ’s sealing, bringing us to heaven.
• Alma 34:32: “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.”
  Summary: This life is the time to perform good works, preparing us to meet God.
• Doctrine and Covenants 58:27: “Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.”
  Summary: We should actively pursue good works of our own will, bringing about righteousness.
• Doctrine and Covenants 76:111: “For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared.”
  Summary: Our eternal dominion will be determined by our works, as judged by God.