Grace in Focus – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Is Continuing to Believe in Christ a Work?
Date: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin (B) and Sam Marr (C)
Podcast: Grace Evangelical Society
Episode Duration: ~13 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode addresses a frequently discussed issue in Free Grace theology: whether continuing to believe in Jesus over time qualifies as a "work" in the context of justification and eternal salvation. Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr answer a listener’s question, explore related Biblical passages, draw a clear distinction between faith and works, and clarify common misunderstandings, especially around the concepts of perseverance and assurance of salvation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Listener Question: Faith, Continuity, and ‘Work’

• Listener Question (Marcia):
  If believing in Jesus is necessary for eternal salvation but not considered a work, why would requiring continuing belief be considered a work?
  [01:18]

• Summary of Response:
  Wilkin and Marr break down the misunderstanding: simply believing in something (even over time) is not, in itself, a "work" from Paul's perspective in Scripture.
  [03:00]

2. Is Believing (or Continuing to Believe) a Work?

• Believing is not a work (as Paul means in Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Jesus uses “work” in John 6:29: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent," but likely in a slightly ironic way, not in the sense of works of the Law.
• Quote (Sam Marr):

  "I think Jesus was not saying it was a work in the sense of a work of the law, or what Paul would call a work... It's an action, right? And the question she's asking is that ongoing action a work? And I would say no, because what we believe is simply what we are persuaded is true." [01:34]

3. Grammar in John 3:16: Does “Believes” Mean “Keeps On Believing”?

• Some scholars argue the present active participle (Greek: ha pistuon) in John 3:16 suggests ongoing belief is necessary.
• Wilkin and Marr give counter-examples from Greek grammar and other scriptural usage:
  • “John the Baptist” (ha baptizon) is still called that after death—even though he’s not baptizing.
  • “The one who drinks” (ha pinon) doesn’t mean continually drinking; one act suffices in context.
• Quote (Sam Marr):

  "If that were true, you will not yet have persevered in faith, right?... The problem with that view is it doesn’t make any sense." [04:06]

4. Faith and Works in James 2:

• Faith apart from works is “dead” (unproductive, not non-existent).
• The Bible encourages works as the outflow of genuine faith, but faith itself is not a work.
• Quote:

  "If you believe that by faith in Jesus you have everlasting life, but you aren't going to church, praying, worshiping, giving... then what good is your belief?" [08:05]

5. Distinction: Faith for Life vs. Perseverance for Rewards

• Eternal life comes through faith alone, not continuous believing as a work.
• Perseverance, confession, and enduring in faith bear on eternal rewards and reigning with Christ, not eternal life itself.
• Quote (Sam Marr):

  "If we endure, we'll reign with Him. If we deny him, he will deny us the privilege of ruling and reigning. So...it's not dealing with unbelievers, it's dealing with believers." [09:33]

6. Encouragement to Believers: Grow, Apply, Confess

• After believing in Christ, believers are encouraged to grow, participate in Christian community, and let their faith produce deeds.
• Isolating oneself or neglecting Christian practices can weaken faith, though it doesn’t nullify eternal life.
• Continuous belief forms the foundation for fruitful Christian living, but is not, in itself, a meritorious work.
• Quote (Bob Wilkin):

  "You need to first believe in Christ for everlasting life. That's always the starting point... The continuing belief we have is your foundation line. And on that we build good works where we help other people. But it's not the work, it's the reason you're doing those things." [11:10–12:20]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On distinguishing belief from works:

  "What's a work is what I do with what I believe... Continuing to believe those things is not a work." — Sam Marr [01:34]

• On John 3:16 and Greek grammar:

  "Even if you've believed continuously for 50 years, if you stop before you die, well then you're not going to get everlasting life because you stopped continuously believing. ... The problem with that view is it doesn't make any sense." — Sam Marr [04:06]

• On faith without works (James 2):

  "Faith without works is dead. That is unprofitable, useless, no good." — Sam Marr [06:50]

• On spiritual growth:

  "Part of Christian growth is learning what God wants us to do and applying that... And my mind is renewed and as a result, my behavior is transformed." — Sam Marr [12:20]

Important Timestamps

• [01:18] — Listener question posed; faith, works, and continuity.
• [03:24] — Addressing present active participle in John 3:16.
• [04:06] — Greek grammar discussion, real-life parallels.
• [07:28] — Connection to James 2: dead faith versus works.
• [08:05] — Practical examples: belief, action, and profit.
• [09:33] — Distinction: perseverance for rewards vs. salvation.
• [11:10–12:20] — Encouragement on spiritual growth and good works.

Conclusion

Wilkin and Marr conclude that belief in Jesus, whether at a moment in time or continuing throughout life, is not defined biblically as a “work.” Salvation is based solely on faith—while continual believing or faithfulness affects spiritual growth and eternal rewards, not the possession of eternal life. “Works” are what flow from faith, not faith itself.

Final encouragement:
Believers are called to deepen faith and let it produce good works, but salvation rests on the foundational act of believing in Christ—not on maintaining that belief as if it were a work.

For more content and teaching from the Grace Evangelical Society, visit faithalone.org.