Righteousness by Faith
We will never get to heaven on works alone.
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.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
But at the same time faith without works is dead also.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
- James 2:26 (KJV)
So they work together. They are entangled.
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.
- James 2:18 (KJV)
We will never be righteous by our works alone. Without help we just can't do it.
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
- Romans 3:10 (KJV)
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
The standard is just too high for us. We need grace and God's help to make us righteous.
At the end of the day, it is God who is doing the work in us (making us righteous). All we can do is believe that God is doing this in us, and surrender to the process.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
That's how it was for Abraham, and that's how it is for us also.
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.
- James 2:23 (KJV)
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
- Romans 4:3-5 (KJV)
Ellen White wrote an article about "Righteousness by Faith" as well. You can find it here.
For a beautiful video series on "Righteousness by Faith" by Morris Venden, please click here.