The Question we are raising is: ARE WE SAVED OR JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD BY OUR OWN WORKS? Can we lift ourselves by our own bootstraps?
The answer from the Scriptures comes back a resounding "NO!"
The Bible says if we are saved, it will be by the GRACE of God. GRACE means "unmerited favor." We are saved by the "unmerited favor" of God. This, then, rules out works of achievement or human merit.
Here is what the Bible has to say about it:
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isa 64:6 KJV)
KJV Eph 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
NIV Eph. 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
(Salvation in Christ contrasted with the law of Moses:) Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
2 Tim. 1:9 (Of God) "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."
Titus 3:3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Romans 4:1 "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
NIV Rom. 4:4:1 "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?
2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God.
3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.""
(Gal 2:16 KJV) "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
WHAT DO THESE PASSAGES SAY? They say salvation is a GIFT from God. It is not something we could do for ourselves. It is by God's GRACE (unmerited favor), therefore it is not something we had deserved, or could deserve.
As Paul pointed out to the Romans, if we work and earn something, it is WAGES, and not a gift. But that is not the way salvation is. There is no way we could EARN, ACHIEVE or MERIT salvation! We may "boast" about human achievement, or what we "earn" and achieve for ourselves--but not so with salvation, it is on a different plane!
And, as he further points out, this blessing is bestowed, not on the basis of our deservedness, but on the basis of our FAITH. This is why it is so important that we TRUST GOD for salvation, and not try to achieve it for ourselves.
BUT WHAT DO THESE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE NOT SAY?
It is important that we look not only at what they say, but also at what they do NOT say.
Some people think they say that what a man DOES has nothing to do with his salvation. They do NOT say that.
Some think they say we can live any way we please and go to Heaven anyway. They do NOT say that.
Some think they rule out any kind of physical ACTION as having any bearing on salvation. They do not say that.
Some think that because baptism is a physical act that they are saying it has nothing to do with salvation. They do not say that.
Some think that they say we can be saved in gross DISOBEDIENCE to God. They do not say that.
One might conclude they say all the good deeds we do will not count. They do not say that. Jesus said, (Mat 10:42 KJV) "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."
As a matter of fact, Jesus said, in relation to the Judgment scene, concerning helping those who are in need: (Mat 25:45 KJV) "Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me." He says these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.
But what the Scriptures DO SAY is that no amount of alms and good deeds will get us to Heaven without Christ and His atoning Sacrifice!
Luke, in Acts 10, introduces us to Cornelius: (Acts 10:1-2 KJV) "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, (2) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Was he saved? No, he still needed Jesus! (Acts 11:14 KJV concerning Peter and his preaching of the gospel:) "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
The same Scriptures that so avidly declare we are not saved by works also declare:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12 KJV)
(Speaking of Jesus:) "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Heb 5:8,9 KJV)
(Jesus Himself says,) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven . Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Mat 7:21--27 KJV)
In the same book of Romans where Paul so beautifully argues justification by faith and not by works, he says, of God, (Rom 2:6-11 KJV) "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (11) For there is no respect of persons with God."
In the beginning of the book he spoke of the "OBEDIENCE OF FAITH," (Rom. 1:5). At the close of the book, speaking of the preaching of Christ, he said, "made known to all nations for the obedience of faith," (Rom.16:26).
(And James, speaking of justification by saith, says:) James 2:14 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Are we saved by works? No. Does that mean we don't have to do anything to be saved? No, not that, either!
Jesus explained it: (Luke 17:7-10 NIV) ""Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? (8) Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? (9) Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? (10) So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'""
Some have suggested that if we DO anything, we are insulting the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice; we are implying that what He did is not good enough, that He needs our help in salvation. And this is where the distinction comes in. If we did it with this attitude, it would indeed be wrong. But if we do with the attitude of expressing our faith and loyalty to Christ, it is good.
Professor Robert J. Dean penned these words: Christ calls and enables His followers to continue His works (John 14:12; 1 Cor. 15:58; 16:10).
The works of people testify to their faith or lack of it. Those who do the works of the devil show that they are of the devil (John 8:34-44; 2 Cor. 11:14-15). Sinners are called to cast off the works of darkness (Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:11), sometimes called wicked works (Col. 1:21) or the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19). Because sinners cannot save themselves, they must rely on the grace of God, not on their own works (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).
Paul warned against relying on the works of the law as a basis for acceptance by God (Rom. 9:32; Gal. 2:16; 3:2,5,10). Sinners are accepted as righteous before God on the basis of God's grace through faith in Christ, not on the basis of their own works (Rom. 3:27; 4:2-6). One evidence of saving faith, however, is the existence of good works in the lives of believers (Matt. 5:16; Acts 9:36; Eph. 2:10; Col. 1:10; 2 Thess. 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:10; 5:10,25; Titus. 2:7,14; Heb. 10:24; 1 Pet. 2:12).
Some people think that Paul and James contradict each other in their teachings about works. James 2:14-26 says that people are justified by faith and works, not by faith alone. However, closer examination shows that James used the word "works" to refer to what Paul meant by "good works." Paul was dealing with people who wanted to rely on works of the law for their salvation. James was dealing with people who professed to believe but whose lives did not show it. Paul, therefore, emphasized that sinners cannot make themselves acceptable to God by keeping the works of the law. Dealing with a different situation, James emphasized that true faith shows itself in good works, a point that Paul also made.
The Lord knows the works of His people. He commends His churches for their good works and rebukes them for the works that are not worthy of His people (Rev. 2:2,5,9,13,19,23,26; 3:1,2,8,15). God does not judge according to outward appearances but according to works (1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 20:12-13; 22:12). Although true believers are accepted into God's eternal kingdom by grace through faith, God will condemn those whose profession is proved false by their evil works (Matt. 7:21-23). True believers are saved because their lives are built on the solid foundation of Christ Himself. (Emphasis mine, E.B.)
Look at God giving Joshua and the children of Israel the city of Jericho, as an example. Underscore in your mind that, like our salvation, the city was a GIFT. (Josh 6:2 KJV) "And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."
But did they have to do anything to receive it? The Lord instructed that they march around the city thirteen times, blow the trumpet and shout. Only when they did this did they receive the city. The Scripture records: (Josh 6:20 KJV) "So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city."
Did their action physically have any connection with the walls falling? No, it was not by their own works; God made the walls to fall!
But suppose Joshua had said, "I know where there is a weak point in the wall, and I'm putting a sledge-hammer by it. And each one of you, as you march around the city, needs to pick up the sledge-hammer and give the wall a good blow as you pass by. They would have been trying to take the situation into their own hands, and that would have been wrong. There was a proper type of work, in marching, blowing the trumpet and shouting. Works aimed at making things happen without God would have been entirely out of place. So it is with our salvation!
Closing:
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal 3:26,27 KJV)
If you are not a Christian, trust in Christ for salvation by grace through faith. Then repent of your sin and be baptized to get into Christ where salvation is! In baptism, we are not trying to achieve our own salvation, but it is our way of CALLING ON THE LORD for it. (Acts 22:16 KJV) "And now why tarriest thou? (Why do you wait?) arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
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