"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:4-5)
Paul tells us that a person who works for something is entitled to receive compensation for what he does. He makes the contrast between works and grace to explain that the free gift of salvation is not something that can be earned but something that must be received by faith. It is only then that the believer's faith is counted for righteousness. It is only then that the gift of righteousness needed to become acceptable in God's sight is credited to the believer's account as a free gift. Those who try to work for it will not receive it.
Just as salvation cannot be earned by works, it cannot be kept by works. Paul explained it this way to the Galatian believers: "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3).
Salvation is received by faith and is kept by faith. But whose faith is it kept by?
It is kept by the faith of Jesus.
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
His faith is a reference to His faithfulness to the Father in living a life without sin and fulfilling God's demands of a holy life. His faithfulness is credited to our account, as well as His death on the cross, as complete payment for our sins. When God looks at believers, He sees them as in Christ. This means they are not only forgiven because of Christ's sacrificial death but are declared righteous because of His obedient life.
Christians will go to heaven when they die no matter what work or lack of work accompanies their faith. The destiny of believers is not threatened by their acts of sin - as we all sin - every single day - and will continue to sin until we die. Our salvation is assured because Jesus is our surety (Hebrews 7:22-25). He supplies what is needed when we default because He remains faithful to His promises, even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:11).
Those who push a "you must do good works to remain saved" theology are more often than not, motivated by fear. If they believe there is something they can do or not do to nullify their salvation, they will tend to focus their attention on their obedience, instead of Christ's finished work on the cross.
Our motivation should stem from gratefulness that the finished work of Jesus sets us free from the fear of losing our salvation, so that we can be the person God created us to be. In order to grow in the Christian life, the believer's eternal security must be a settled issue. - Robert Metevia
Paul tells us that a person who works for something is entitled to receive compensation for what he does. He makes the contrast between works and grace to explain that the free gift of salvation is not something that can be earned but something that must be received by faith. It is only then that the believer's faith is counted for righteousness. It is only then that the gift of righteousness needed to become acceptable in God's sight is credited to the believer's account as a free gift. Those who try to work for it will not receive it.
Just as salvation cannot be earned by works, it cannot be kept by works. Paul explained it this way to the Galatian believers: "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3).
Salvation is received by faith and is kept by faith. But whose faith is it kept by?
It is kept by the faith of Jesus.
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)
His faith is a reference to His faithfulness to the Father in living a life without sin and fulfilling God's demands of a holy life. His faithfulness is credited to our account, as well as His death on the cross, as complete payment for our sins. When God looks at believers, He sees them as in Christ. This means they are not only forgiven because of Christ's sacrificial death but are declared righteous because of His obedient life.
Christians will go to heaven when they die no matter what work or lack of work accompanies their faith. The destiny of believers is not threatened by their acts of sin - as we all sin - every single day - and will continue to sin until we die. Our salvation is assured because Jesus is our surety (Hebrews 7:22-25). He supplies what is needed when we default because He remains faithful to His promises, even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:11).
Those who push a "you must do good works to remain saved" theology are more often than not, motivated by fear. If they believe there is something they can do or not do to nullify their salvation, they will tend to focus their attention on their obedience, instead of Christ's finished work on the cross.
Our motivation should stem from gratefulness that the finished work of Jesus sets us free from the fear of losing our salvation, so that we can be the person God created us to be. In order to grow in the Christian life, the believer's eternal security must be a settled issue. - Robert Metevia
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