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A lot of ink has been used to present arguments about the efficacy of works in the salvation of the Christian.
1. Some say that there is nothing that one can do to obtain salvation. They say that God has pre-selected a definite number of people to be saved.
2. Others say that it is faith alone that saves. They say that works have nothing to do with salvation.
Are numbers 1 and 2 attempting to avoid the Christian’s responsibility in his salvation?
3. Still others say that it is the faith that produces works that will bring salvation.
Let’s look at just what works are by using an example.
An employer has a job to do that he does not have the time to do, does not have the inclination to do or does not have the ability to do. So he places an ad in the newspaper’s help wanted section describing the job and its qualifications.
An employee answers the ad. Employer and employee make an agreement and employee starts to work for employer. Employee will earn a pay check and employer will be glad to pay the employee.
An exchange of something of value has occurred. Employer has received something of value--the skill and time of the employee. Employee has received something of value--the pay check.
The agreement between employer and employee is a binding legal agreement. The employer has a legal obligation to pay the employee. The employee has a legal obligation to report for work during the time agreed upon.
The employee has worked for his pay, he has merited his pay, he has earned his pay because he has exchanged something of value with his employer and he has a legal recourse if he doesnâ’t receive his pay.
That is what works are--something earned, merited and there is a legal obligation involved.
There is something else that gets into this mix. That is the principle of a gift.
Let’s look at an example to illustrate the principle.
Rich man knows this young man and likes him. This young man has always done favors for the rich man and has said nice things about him. The young man is poor and could use some financial assistance.
The rich man sends his attorney to see the young man and tells him that if the young man will come to his office the next day he will give him a check for $100,000.
The rich man has no legal obligation to offer the young man the gift of $100,000. All that the young man has to do is go to the rich man’s office to receive the gift of $100,000.
The young man has offered nothing of value to the rich man in order to receive the gift. An exchange of something of value has not occurred. If the young man goes to the rich man’s office, he can receive the $100,000. gift. He has not worked for, earned or merited the $100,000.
A gift is something of value given to another who does not give something of value in return. There is no exchange of something of value.
Ephesians 2:8-9, 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.
Man has nothing of value to give God so all that God gives is a gift. God has no moral or legal obligation to offer man His great gift. There is no exchange of something of value. That which is valuable was given by God. But man, in order to receive this great gift, must meet the conditions of how to receive this gift set by the gift giver--God. The gift giver has the right to set conditions to receive the gift.
Romans 11:6, And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
There is nothing that man can do to create an obligation for God to give the great gift.
Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God decided beforehand what the response would be by those who received His great gift. Christians became new creatures in Christ Jesus to be like Him in doing good works.
Titus 1:16, They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
If Christians do not do the good works that they became new creatures to do, they are denying God.
James 2:17-18, Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Good works serve a great purpose. They are the way of measuring whether one has enough faith to be saved. If there are no good works, it is because one does not have enough faith to be saved.
James 2:22, Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
Good works are a sign of mature faith.
Revelation 20:13, The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
If a Christian’s faith is mature, good works are the result. If there are no good works, one’s faith is not mature. You can’t have one without the other.
The only works that show the maturity of faith are those done by those who have been born of the will of God. See Born of the Will of God in Truth Quest.
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