Faith, in a biblical context, is defined as a trust or confidence in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is not a blind faith but one grounded in the substance of God’s Word. The quality of faith is determined by its object, which in the case of Christian salvation, is the Lord Jesus Christ.  

While faith is central to salvation, it is not devoid of works. True faith should produce good works, as emphasized in James 2:21-26. This passage, often compared with Romans 4:1-4, highlights the dual perspective of faith: justification before God and demonstration of faith before others. Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith aligns with God’s perspective, while James’s focus on works aligns with man’s perspective. The example of a Christian praying before a meal illustrates this principle: God sees the heart of faith, while others see the outward expression of that faith through the act of prayer.  

Salvation is exclusively attained through faith, apart from works. Any attempt to add works to the equation of salvation nullifies the grace of God. This principle is evident in various false religions and cults that teach salvation through human effort. The apostle Paul addresses the issue of legalism, which involves adding external practices to faith as a means of obtaining grace, emphasizing that salvation is by grace alone. Biblical theology consistently affirms that faith in Jesus Christ is the sole basis for salvation.