A Mormon asks, “How is having faith in Christ… not a ‘work’ in the same way our ordinances are works?”

I think it’s a great question. In summary, saving faith:

(1) must be distinguished from works, because scripture itself makes the distinction;

(2) faith admits one’s own unworthiness and takes a needy, humble posture that receives eternal life as a free gift;

(3) faith trusts in a particular Savior who has made particular promises to believers.

Unpacking these:

(1) We are required by the text of scripture to distinguish between faith and works. See especially Romans 4:5 — “To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Paul also makes the distinction in Galatians 3:2,5.

He also insists that believers are saved “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” (Titus 3:5) And he says that he has a righteousness, not “of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” So even before we answer *how* faith and works are different, we can at least see *that* they are different.

(2) Saving faith takes a needy posture or mode: it positions itself like a destitute beggar entirely dependent on another. It receives. It has nothing to offer. It holds out open, empty hands. It’s the posture of receiving a free gift, with humility that acknowledges one is unworthy and unqualified to receive it. “Lord, I am unrighteous. Please forgive me, because Jesus alone is righteous.”

Saving faith looks outside of itself to the righteousness of another. Saving faith distrusts its own works to earn eternal life, and entirely depends on the work Christ to earn it on our behalf.

(3) Lastly, there is the content of faith: Faith trusts Christ for particular promises. It does not say, “I am trusting Christ to help me earn, merit, and prove myself worthy of his presence.” Rather, it says, “Christ alone is worthy, he alone has merit, and he has earned eternal life for me on my behalf.” Saving faith hears and believes, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:25)