In today’s society, the need for salvation through Jesus Christ is often downplayed, with many believing that good works, deeds, and worldly gains are sufficient for a fulfilling life. The prevalent mindset suggests that personal achievements and acts of kindness alone can secure one’s place in eternity. However, the truth is that salvation is a gift from God, freely given through His grace. This newsletter aims to debunk the myth that works can save us, highlighting the biblical truth that salvation cannot be earned but is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Join us as we explore the scriptures and understand why faith, not works, is the key to eternal life.
WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
According to 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.
Our faith is what saves us; no amount of good works can grant us eternal life. Romans 3:23 states that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need a Savior to rescue us. Romans 10:9-10 says,
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
John 3:16 tells us that
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
These verses make it clear that works will not give us eternal life. Believing in what Jesus did on the cross and His resurrection will grant you eternal life.
ARE YOUR GOOD DEEDS ENOUGH?
In a world where nothing is given but earned, we often ask ourselves, “Have I done enough?” We work tirelessly just to hear people say, “Well done!” We give to the poor, donate to foundations, and even help strangers, thinking, “I did my good deeds for today!” But will these works or good deeds get you into heaven? The Bible tells us that “there is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10) and that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23).
So, it begs the question, was it enough? Salvation can never be earned; it is the gift that keeps on giving. As merciful and gracious as our God is, who desires all men and women to be saved, perhaps it is time to exchange our worthless works for the worthy King, Jesus.
DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED?
This question yields various responses. Some people might say they need more money, a car, clothes, a bigger residence, etc. Others might say they have everything they need and are content. However, if you specifically ask whether they need Jesus, the responses can vary as well. A common belief is that good works or deeds are sufficient to get to Heaven, so they don’t need Jesus.
In Mark 10:17-27, we see what it looks like to believe that works can save us.
The rich man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded by saying, “No one is good but God.” Jesus listed the commandments, saying, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother.” The rich man claimed to have kept all these commandments, but when Jesus asked him to sell everything and follow Him, the rich man’s worldly possessions mattered to him more than being with Jesus. Believing that we can be made right with God through works, good deeds, and material possessions is a deception that leads us away from the true source of salvation. This misconception undermines the grace and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which are the foundation of our redemption. The truth found in the Bible reveals that only through faith in Jesus do we have everything we need.
In conclusion, the bottom line is that today, we live in a world where human effort is placed on par with God’s forgiveness. People throw around words for God like the universe and higher power, and are being captured and enamored with the false notion that their works have weight with God. The first issue is that our work begins in a tainted place. Isaiah the prophet proclaims in Isaiah 53:6 that
we all, like sheep, have gone astray, and each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The God of the Bible is the one who will judge. The only one whose works are worthy is His lamb, and His name is Jesus!
LaTanya M. Chauncey
