Salvation and Works

This is an article about one of the most misunderstood aspects of salvation. Wayne Jackson wrote it. It appeared in the Christian Courier in January 1987. The paper was published by the Church of Christ in Stockton, California and was edited by Jackson.

Most protestant groups, reacting to the "works system" of Roman Catholicism, have adopted the extreme (and unscriptural) view that works play no role in human salvation. Certain sects contend that salvation is on the basis of "faith alone" without additional acts of obedience, while others (such as the radical Calvinists) allege that salvation is totally unconditional; that is, before the world began God elected the saved irrespective of their response to conditions of redemption. The truth of the matter lies between the extremes of Catholicism and Calvinism.

The solution to the "works" problem is to recognize the following facts. The Bible teaches that salvation is not by works. The Bible teaches that salvation is by works. Since however, the Scriptures do not contradict themselves, it must be clear that there are different types of works relative to human redemption. Let us consider the following categories of works.

Works of the Law of Moses - In the book of Romans, Paul forcefully declares that, "a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law" (3:28). Again, in chapter 4:4-5, the apostle contends that to him who works (i.e., the works of the Mosaic system), the reward would not be reckoned as of grace but as of debt. On the other hand, to him who works not (the works of the Law), but who practices faith in Christ, he is accounted as righteous. Neither of these passages nor any other, suggests that there are no works involved in Heaven's plan of salvation!

Works of Human Righteousness - In the Ephesian letter, Paul writes, "...for by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works that no man should glory" (2:8-9; cf. Second Timothy 1:19). Notice please, that the emphasis is upon our works, or works wherein we might glory. Positively excluded from these types of works however, are acts of obedience commanded by God to which we are expected to respond.

Works of God - There is a class of works mentioned in the Bible called, "works of God" which are directly related to human salvation. By this expression we do not mean works performed by the Lord. Rather, these are, "works required and approved by God" (J. H. Thayer, Greek Lexicon, p. 248). The Lord instructed those who would follow Him: "'Work not for the food which perishes but for the food which abides unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give you'...They said therefore unto Him, 'What must we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said unto them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent'" (John 6:27-29). Within this context Christ makes it quite plain that there are works to be done which will result in the reception of eternal life. Moreover, the passage affirms that believing itself is a work, "this is the work of God, that you believe on Him..." It therefore follows that if one is saved without any type of works, then he is saved without faith; a conclusion which would throw the Bible into hopeless confusion!

Too, it might be noted that repentance from sin is a divinely appointed work for man to do prior to the reception of salvation. Observe this point. The people of ancient Nineveh, "repented" at the preaching of Jonah (cf. Matthew 12:41) yet, the Old Testament record of this event relates that, "God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way" (Jonah 3:10). Thus, if one can be saved without any kind of works, he can be saved without repentance. Yet, Jesus declared that without repentance one will perish (Luke 13:3-5).

The real bone of contention with many though, is water baptism. Baptism according to these folks, is a human work. Hence, it can have no relationship to man's salvation. The New Testament however, specifically excludes baptism from that class of human works that is unrelated to redemption. Please read carefully Titus 3:4-7. This context reveals that: (1) We are not saved by works of righteousness which we did ourselves; according to any plan which we accomplished (cf. Thayer, p. 526). (2) But (note the contrast) we were saved by the, "washing of regeneration" (an allusion to baptism) and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is thus clear that baptism is excluded from those works of human righteousness which men contrive. It is though, a part of God's redemptive plan and when one is raised from baptism, it is according to the, "working of God" (Colossians 2:12) and not of man.