Does salvation require good works? It’s a loaded question, but the short answer is YES! However, let’s unpack what that truly means for Christians.
Understanding Salvation
First, let’s define salvation:
Salvation is the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, or destruction. In the Christian context, it refers to deliverance from the power and penalty of sin—a rescue mission from the spiritual destruction caused by sin.
Sin is any immoral act that disobeys God’s divine law, and the penalty of sin is eternal separation from God (Genesis 2:17). This is the harm that salvation protects us from. The divine law demands righteousness—a life lived without sin—something no human can achieve on their own.
The Key to Salvation: Jesus' Works, Not Ours
So, does salvation require works? Yes, but here’s the catch—it’s not our works. It’s the finished work of Jesus Christ. His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension provide the pathway to salvation. Jesus lived a sinless life, fulfilling the divine law, and made a way for us to have a relationship with God by believing in Him.
This is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. It’s not about what we do—it’s about what He did. Through His grace, we are saved. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
The Scriptures Behind Salvation: Romans Road
For those curious about the authority behind this claim, let’s walk down the famous Romans Road, which clearly lays out the plan of salvation:
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Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
We are all guilty of sin—none of us is righteous. -
Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death…"
Our sin deserves punishment—eternal separation from God. -
Romans 6:23b
"...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Jesus' death and resurrection paid the price for our sins, offering us eternal life as a free gift. -
Romans 10:9
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Salvation comes through faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. -
Romans 5:1
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Faith in Jesus brings peace with God, rescuing us from being His enemy. -
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Once we are saved, nothing can tear us away from God’s love!
The Free Gift of Salvation
To sum it all up, while sin entered the world through one man (Adam), salvation came through Jesus Christ and His righteous works. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it crystal clear:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
This amazing truth means we don’t need to rely on our own strength or deeds for salvation—it’s a free gift from God, made possible by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
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Written by: Ramsey