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By Van Sprague

The Bible appears to say two different things. Sometimes it seems to teach, “Works do not save.” Other times it looks like it says, “Works save.” Take a couple of passages as an example.

Concerning the first idea, Paul told the church at Ephesus, “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” (Eph 2:8, 9, Unless otherwise stated: Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Used by permission. All rights reserved).

On the other hand, Paul encouraged the Philippians to be obedient, saying, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philip 2:12).

If the Bible is the Word of God, it will not contradict itself. So, what does this mean?

The message Paul shared with the Ephesians was that no one can do enough good to earn salvation. But the section goes on to say, “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). This part complements the idea of Philippians 2:12.

How can works be required to be saved, but not able to save? If we are created for good works, can we be saved if we do not do them? When we see how God considered Abraham’s life of faith, we understand the way He sees our works today.

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt” (Rom 4:2-4).

If it were a matter of what Abraham did, alone, He would still be in debt because of sin. However, because of Jesus’ sacrifice to justify those who live by faith in Him (Rom 1:17), works of faith can be accounted by God as righteousness. It’s as if it is not our works, but Jesus’ being done through us.

Paul considered his life this way. He said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

Look at how Jesus talked about belief in John 6:28-29. “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

If someone is trying to contend that we are saved by belief only, with no works required, they would find themselves at odds with God’s instruction.

Colossians 2:11-12 shows that even submitting to baptism is considered to be where we die and are raised trusting in God’s work:

“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philip 2:13).

Living by the Word of God, we do the work of God, and He considers us justified in Christ, through His work. So our works do not save us, but we must work to be saved.

 

Van Sprague is an evangelist at the Church of Christ at Houston Park. He has a wife and three children. Come Visit! Sunday morning Bible class is at 9, with worship at 10 am and 5 pm. Wednesday night Bible class is at 6.