Is faith alone enough?

Today, in Romans 4:1–8, St. Paul reminds us that Abraham was justified by faith, not by the works of the flesh. He writes,
“Abraham put his faith in God, and this faith was considered as justifying him.”
But what does this mean?
Paul is not rejecting good works, rather he’s showing that Abraham’s righteousness came first from trust in God, not from his own power or performance. Abraham believed God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible, and that faith became the foundation of his friendship with God.

This passage has been interpreted in many ways, especially by those who claim faith alone is sufficient for salvation. But Catholic teaching, rooted in both Scripture and Tradition, tells us that while we are justified by grace through faith, that faith must be alive in love and expressed through works.
As St. James reminds us: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).

What Is Faith?

“Faith is a supernatural gift of God which enables us to believe in Him, to accept His truth, and to live according to His word.”(CCC 153)

Faith is both intellectual assent (believing what God has revealed) and trustful obedience (acting upon it). Abraham didn’t just believe in his mind; he acted on that belief. He left his homeland, trusted God’s promise and even being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. That’s why he’s called “the father of faith.”

So how do we know we have faith?


When belief moves beyond words into obedience.
When we trust God even when we don’t understand.
When we allow His Word to shape our choices, relationships and character.
Faith that listens but does not act is not yet faith, it is intention without surrender. True faith listens, trusts and obeys.

Friends, we are justified not by the works of the flesh, but by a living faith that produces good works through grace. Faith opens the door; love keeps us inside.

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

Prayer:

Lord, increase our faith. Help us to believe, to trust, and to obey. Let our faith be living, active and rooted in love, that through our words and actions, others may see You in us.

Amen.