Does salvation require good works? It’s a loaded question, but the short answer is YES! However, keep reading to dig into the context of that answer.
Let’s start with the definition of salvation so we are crystal clear on what we are talking about.
- Salvation: the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction etc.
So if salvation is the act of saving… then action or works needs to occur in order to prevent harm, risk, loss or destruction.
Well what are Christians referring to as it relates to salvation?
- Christian Salvation: deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.
- Sin: an immoral act considered to be an offense of divine law. An unholy act or disobedience to God.
- Penalty of sin: spiritual and eternal separation from God. (Genesis 2:17)
So far we determined that salvation requires works to prevent something bad from happening (the penalty of sin). In this case, the righteous requirement for salvation from sin is to live and fulfill the divine law of God. Living without sin… ever!
Looking back to the original question and answer, salvation does require works. Here’s the catch… it is not our works… it is the finished work of Jesus Christ! It is through Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension that all can receive salvation from the penalty of sin. He lived a perfect life, fulfilling the divine law of His Father which created a pathway for us to have a relationship with God by believing in Him and what He did. And that ladies and gentlemen is what separates Christianity from all other religions. It is not about what we do, but about what He did and the grace that He provides us. We therefore love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Interesting perspective Ramz, but by what authority are you coming from? I’m glad you asked. Let’s walk through the scriptures and take a trip down Romans Road.
- Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
- There are no exceptions. We have all missed the mark of God’s glory. (Romans 3:10-18)
- None righteous, no not one
- None understands
- None who seek after God
- None who does good, not one
- Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death…”
- Not just physical but eternal death (separation from God)
- This is the punishment that we earned.
- Romans 6:23b “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Jesus died for us demonstrating His unmatched love! (Romans 5:8-9)
- Jesus’ death paid the price for our sins
- His resurrection proves God the Father accepted Jesus’ life and death as the payment for our sins.
- Romans 10:9 “…That 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.”
- Because of the works of Jesus through His death on our behalf, we just need to believe in Him to be saved.
- Truly trusting & having faith that His death is the payment for our sins.
- Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”
- Who wants to be an enemy of God? Not me. (Romans 5:9)
- Because of the works of Jesus, it is through Him that we can have peace and a relationship with the Father.
- Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- What a promise God makes to us through His word! You mean there is nothing out there once I am connected to God that would separate His love for me?
- I am so happy that I don’t have to lean on my own power or works for that kind of promise.
So to summarize, just as it was the works of one man (Adam) where sin entered the world thus causing our sin nature and condemnation, it is through Jesus Christ’s righteous works that the free gift came to all, resulting in justification of life. Romans 5:18-19.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says it very clearly:
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast”
~Team Christ Gear
Written by: Ramsey