By Pastor Greg Wilson
Virtually all of the cults, and most of the mainline “Christian” denominations, have human works somehow involved in the salvation of a soul. These works often take the form of some priestly rite or ritual, done to or on behalf of the person (baptism, mass, proxy prayers, etc.). The individual may also be required to adhere to some set of external laws or regulations to gain and maintain their salvation.
The Bible, however, never makes human works the basis for attaining or maintaining salvation. According to the Scriptures, salvation is by grace (God’s unmerited favor) alone. There is nothing that a human being can do to merit God’s favor. The prophet Isaiah tells us that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:4). That is, the very best that man can attain falls far short of what God requires.
Those who think they can somehow recommend themselves to God have no real concept of the absolute righteousness of God. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3). No one can attain to the righteousness of God based upon his own merits. Whether one falls short by an inch or a mile, he still fails to meet God’s standard. As in attempting to leap across a wide and deep chasm, failure to attain the other side, whether by a wide or a narrow margin, has the same disastrous results.
Salvation is all of grace, by the means of faith in the merits of Jesus Christ alone. No one will ever earn his own way into heaven. Paul says: “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” (Romans 3:20)
To mix grace with works is to destroy the very essence of what grace is. Again, Paul says: “There is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no more works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:5,6). One who trusts, in any measure, upon human works to merit God’s favor has never understood His absolute righteousness or experienced His wonderful grace.
While Scripture never presents works as the basis for salvation, they are presented as its unmistakable and unvarying by-product. Good works never saved anyone, but the saved will, without exception, bring forth good works. For it is unto this that God saves them.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
It is our prayer that God grant you the grace to turn in repentance from your sins and to trust in the atoning death of Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of your soul.
Available as a printed tract from:
Landmark Independent Baptist Church
P.O. Box 847
Archer, FL 32618-0847