Our Works and Our Salvation

By John Waddey

Two great errors have deep roots in the world of Christendom. On the one hand is the idea that man, by his good works, can gain standing with God. This is seen in the teaching and practice of Catholicism. On the other is the belief that man needs only to believe in Jesus and he will be saved. Following Martin Luther, Sola Fides is the mantra of virtually all Protes­tant bodies. As is often the case, God's truth on the subject lies between these two extremes.

Without question or doubt, faith plays an essential role in our salvation. "Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him (God) for he that cometh to God must be­lieve that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said, "Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). Paul af­firms that we are "justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1).

The question is, what is the nature of the faith that is necessary for our salvation? In writing to the Romans, Paul twice spoke of "the obedience of faith" (Rom. 1:5; 16:26). He taught the saints in Galatia that salvation was not based on one's race but on "faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6). This then helps us appreciate James' message on faith. Much of the second chapter of his epistle is a discussion on the nature of sav­ing faith. "I by my works will show thee my faith." (2:18). "Faith apart from works is barren" (2:20). "By works was faith made perfect" (2:22). "Ye see that by works a man is justified and not only by faith" (2:24). "Faith apart from works is dead" (2:26). In the face of this overwhelm­ing declaration by James, what can an advo­cate of salvation by faith alone do? Martin Luther questioned the inspiration of the epistle!

One cannot be saved unless he has re­ceived the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). But the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey God (Acts 5:32). In fact we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized for re­mission of our sins (Acts 2:38).

Why is there this determination to have salvation by faith alone, given the plain teaching of Scripture to the contrary? It is the stubborn refusal to admit that baptism plays a vital role in man's salvation. Even though Christ said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16), they deny it. Although Paul was told to be bap­tized to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16), they refuse to admit it.

In their confusion, they argue that to be baptized for the remission of ones sins is to seek salvation by works. They fail to notice the different kinds of works mentioned in the Scripture. There are "works our right­eousness" which we do. They cannot save us (Eph. 2:8-9). These are things that we imagine or ordain that sinners must do. They are worthless. There are works of the Law of Moses. "By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight" (Rom. 3:20). This is understandable. First we are not under the Law of Moses. That system offered a different way for man to serve God. We are under Christ. We are to observe all things whatsoever he commanded (Matt 28:20). But there are "works of God." "This is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29). The Master reminds us that "We must work the works of him that sent me..."(John 9:4). This is clari­fied in Hebrews 5:9. Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him! Those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus shall suffer punishment (II Thess. 1:8-9).

To affirm the importance of obedience in no way diminishes the importance of faith. It is the demonstration of ones faith. Nor does it take away our total dependence on God's grace and mercy. We glory in His wonderful grace (Eph. 2:8-9). To see the connection, consider Paul's words to Titus, "not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy (i.e. His grace) he saved us, through the wash­ing or regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (his method of saving us. jhw)...that we might be justified by grace..."(Tit. 3:5-7). We are justified by grace when God renews us by His Holy Spirit. But we receive the Holy Spirit when we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Baptism is "the washing of regenera­tion" of which he speaks.

No man can merit or earn his salvation. In no way is God ever our debtor. No man who refuses to believe in Christ can hope to be saved! But the man whose faith leads him to gladly obey God's will, will know the joy of salvation. &

What Is the Heart?

By Bob Myhan

Because Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8), Christian disci­pleship is often called "the re­ligion of the pure in heart." But what is the heart that must be pure and how is an impure heart changed into a pure heart?

Jesus likens the heart to a treasure chest which contains either good or evil treasure.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:35)

Sin proceeds from a heart filled with evil treasure.

"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart pro­ceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blas­phemies." (Matthew. 15:18-19)

The heart is intellectual. We know this because man thinks and reasons “in his heart” and understands “with his heart.”

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4)

But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?" (Mark 2:8)

"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hear­ing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should under­stand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)

The heart is emotional; it is possible to hate your brethren in your heart or to love your brethren with a pure heart. Also, desire is associated with the heart.

"'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.'" (Leviticus 19:17)

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sin­cere love of the brethren, love one an­other fervently with a pure heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

The heart is ethical. We know this because it makes ethical judgments; our heart either condemns or does not condemn our actions.

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (1 John 3:19-21)

The heart is volitional; it has intents and it purposes; it is in the heart that we decide to act.

For the word of God is living and pow­erful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and in­tents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corin­thians 9:7)

It is because of the volitional nature of the heart that obedience comes “from the heart.”

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)

. The heart must be changed in all four of its natures—intel­lectu­al, emotional, ethical and volition­al. How God operates on and changes the heart will be considered in next week’s Faith Builder. &