It is amazing how many ways man can be saved according to man. If you were to line up ten men from ten different faiths and ask them "What must I do to be saved?" you would most likely receive ten very different answers. However, if they would study their Bibles, they would find that God made one way and one way only whereby man might be saved, which is by doing the will of the Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21)

Too many times men take one verse from the Bible and build their theology on just that one verse alone. It is easy to twist the intention of someone by taking one phrase out of context. Think about the way some news headlines are stated. A newspaper will find one phrase in a speech and take it out of context in order to twist what was said so that it will make the headlines. Also, to make his case, a lawyer may twist words and have a witness read only the highlighted portion of a statement they have made. The words of even the most eloquent speakers have been twisted, this includes God.

Take for example, those who use John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8 to say faith in Christ is all one needs to be saved. Ephesians 2:10 states that we are the workmanship of Christ and that we were created to walk in the good works that He created for us. This is the plan of salvation and for Christian living. So if faith was all we needed, then this verse would contradict the plan of salvation God gave us. If the Bible contradicts itself, then how shall we trust it? Well, the truth is, the Bible never says that we need faith only. In the two above-mentioned verses, Paul was simply talking about a "part" of the plan and not the "whole" plan. So yes, we are saved by faith but not faith only. Matthew 7:21 would be a good passage to look at here. "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." (Matt. 7:21) Notice it states "he that doeth the will of my father" as those who will enter heaven. The word “doeth” would imply works just like the works we were created to walk in as stated in Ephesians 2:10. In fact, the only time the term "faith only" is found in the Bible it is preceded by "not" (James. 2:24).

So, why trust a man when it comes to the terms of your salvation? How about turning to the author of your salvation and asking Him what you must do to be saved? In John 17:17, He says "Sanctify them by Thy truth, thy word is truth.” And in John 8:32, we are told "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." So how about it? Do you want to be free from sin? Then turn to the Bible, the word of God, and it only.