Many posters on this forum make fun of works for the Lord. Almost to a man they respond by calling mention of work for the Lord works religion. They think of work as only to be done for salvation. If it was true that work was only to be done for salvation as they think, then work would be useless for it is our faith that results in salvation.
They make me think of a naughty child telling parents they won't behave unless they are given what they want.
James 2: 17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. 18 [a]Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.
I think what is to blame is bad teachers in the pulpit or elsewhere, and quite frankly, being too lazy to actually study the scriptures so as to learn what is meant to be understood by the creator of all things. Including those minds that invented the printing press so that we are without excuse.
The teaching that we have to work to stay saved is popular on the net. I'm a member of a Bible forum where someone insists works save. And if the Christian doesn't keep working they'll lose their salvation just as readily as , he insists, they can work to lose their salvation. Making one mistake and they're back to being a damned sinner.
If that person is truly a Christian I don't know. If they're not they're a dedicated troll because they find their way to other study forums using the same argument. This type thing is what confuses people who discuss scripture in a forum atmosphere.
Some take the word of those they credit with being more learned. Some just believe it because why would someone misrepresent the truth of God in Christ?
Sadly, it doesn't appear such persons ever ask why they'd have to labor to remain in Christ when Christ did all the work on the cross. And God has said his calling and gift (of grace) is irrevocable. Romans 11. In other words, God doesn't take it back.
Nor can we lose it. Because Jesus said, no one , meaning not anyone at all, can take the redeemed in him from his hand. John 10.
People backslide, they leave the faith for whatever reason. But that's human fault not God's conceding to their demand to leave the faith.
God chose us in him before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1.
Do we think God didn't know who would veer off? Have doubts and choose the world for a time? God destined us to be his daughters and sons to be blessed in Christ. He chose us that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us to be his sons and daughters for his purpose. By his will. He freely bestowed his grace and calling. A calling we're told is meant for the individual who is in Christ. Because Jesus told us, no one comes to him but his Father call them. John 6 and verse 44.
Not even the OT patriarchs thought they could work so as to enter Heaven. They didn't think they could keep , work to keep, the Mitzvah, the 613 laws of God, and see Heaven. Their faith saved their souls to Heaven.
Jesus worked to save our souls and put the sins of the world on the cross and under his blood for all time. Those who come to him, repent, are redeemed, are eternally saved. They're saints, new creations. Not sinners, because sinners are those who transgress God's will, law, and are damned unrepentant.
If we could work to be saved Jesus would have not suffered for us.
It is a very simple truth many muck up so as to make it convoluted. WORKS DO NOT SAVE! EVER! Doing good work in the service of God is a demonstration of our salvation in Christ! Because when we were dead in our sins we didn't serve God's purposes. We served that of the flesh.
Works are proof of salvation. NOT the means of retaining salvation.
Any church that teaches works are necessary to stay saved are literally damned liars.
Trust the Bible! Not damned liars.