Sola Fide

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Rom 1:17)

Just as grace is the reason for our justification, faith is the means by which that grace is applied to our lives. Sola Fide means, “Faith Alone.” As Martin Luther was climbing up “Pilate’s Staircase” on his knees, he heard a voice from Heaven in his soul declaring “the just shall live by faith.”

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Heb 11:1)

Faith is trusting that God will deliver on His promises. Only by faith, can we receive those gifts that God gives us. No works of our own can merit salvation. It is by “faith alone” that we inherit eternal life. This faith itself is the gift of God. He has granted it, thereby giving us all we need for salvation. The object of our faith is Christ Himself. Place your faith in Him, and He will save. Faith alone in Christ Jesus is all we need to gain His salvation. The works will be performed, but these are not the means by which our justification is “won.” Christ Jesus did our works on our behalf. It is our faith in Him that grants us this justification. One test to see if your faith is “living” is to see if works are accompanying them.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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.
(Jam 2:17-18)

So, we see that faith is the means that we apply the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both faith and grace are the gifts of God. This faith will show itself with works, though these works are never the reason for our salvation. They are a response to our salvation.