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“Works Will Not Save But Works Are Required to Save”
Works Will Not Save But Works Are Required to Save
David Sproule
There are fewer subjects that will get some denominational folks charged up as much as the discussion of works and salvation. It has seemed over the years that some very sincere religious individuals consider “work” (as used in a “Christian context”) to be a four-letter word that should be avoided.
Unfortunately, some have tried to pit some Bible verses against other Bible verses, to make an apparent contradiction between what the Bible says about works. We must remember that the Bible has no contradictions! If there is an apparent contradiction, the problem is with us and not with the Bible! It is up to us to change us, and not to change the Bible!
The New Testament speaks about “works of the law” (Gal. 2:16; Rom. 3:27-28). Early Christians of a Jewish background struggled with their new relationship to (and without) the old law. They had to be reminded that “by faith in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16), they no longer needed nor could they be “justified by works of the law.” When we read, we need to see if these are the “works” under discussion.
The New Testament speaks about “works” of human merit (Rom. 4:2-9; Eph. 2:8-10). Ephesians chapter two is often the passage to which individuals run to “prove” (in their minds) that we are not saved by works. But what kind of “works” is Paul addressing? Notice in both of these passages that Paul is speaking of “works” by which a man (whether Abraham or a Christian) could “boast.” Our salvation is certainly “not of works” by which we might “boast” (Eph. 2:8-9), lest we think that we can earn our salvation. But that does not, by any means, deny that God can still require certain works of us in order to secure salvation. When we read, we need to see if the “works” are meritorious works.
The New Testament speaks about “works” of obedience (Jas. 2:14-26). This is where folks want to suggest that the Bible contradicts itself. It does not! The inspired text clearly teaches that “…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead…faith without works is dead…Abraham our father [was] justified by works…by works faith was made perfect…a man is justified by works, and not by faith only…” These are not meritorious works, by which someone earns salvation. These are works of obedience, which are required in order for Christ to save us (Heb. 5:9). When we read, we need to see if the “works” under discussion are the means of obeying God.
Christians are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10; cf. Matt. 5:14-16; Tit. 2:11-14; 3:1, 8, 14). We are required to “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). “Work” is not a bad word. It’s a glorious requirement to demonstrate our love (John 14:15).
