Will any Christian in a saved state bring forth good works in their life?

Question

Whenever I've asked a Christian the question "Do you have to have good works to be saved?" I've pretty well universally been answered: "No" Some Christians will go on to explain that a person that has truly accepted Jesus Christ will have a change of heart (that is they are born again) with the result being good works associated with salvation.

I have come to the conclusion that the very question is too full of religiously loaded words to really get at what I am asking. Apparently Christians have been taught to associate the concept of "Good Works" with Synergism (i.e. salvation comes in part through the merit of your good works impressing God.) or even with full on salvation via merit of works.

So recognizing this, how do you feel about me rewording the question to be “Will any Christian in a truly saved state bring forth good works in their life?” (Assume we are not including someone that accepts Christ and intends to bring forth good works but dies before their chance.) ...

An example of me asking other Christians the question as “Do you have to have good works to be saved?” can be found at: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtZn68bD57lEwp9SDhqkSArsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071026184522AApOKXh

Note that overwhelmingly the answer to my question was “no” even though the question, as worded, did not necessarily imply that works caused salvation.

With this question I am not looking for an explanation of what Christians believe about God’s Grace or about good works and salvation. I already know this. I'm looking for a Christian comfort level with the way I worded the question. In other words, this is a question not about a religious doctrine, it’s about reaction to how the question is asked and what words are used.

Please note that the two questions are actually the same question still:

“Do you have to have good works to be saved?”

Is logically equivalent to “Will any Christian in a saved state bring forth good works in their life?”

Neither question necessarily implies that works cause salvation. Both are only asking if there is a correlation.

Thought he questions might be considered logically the same, I do not necessarily believe that they imply the same thing to the religiously trained mind. (Or at least, that is what I am testing with this question.)

Answer 1

Yes and no, as it happens.
Although we don't have to physically do any good works to be saved, the fact that we are saved and our hearts are changed, we inadvertantly are doing good works just by being a shining example to other people!
Other people can see the Lord Jesus Christ through us and in us. There are no other good works that can compare to that!
You can't do good works to get into heaven. Anyone that tries hasn't been born again!
We do good works because we want to, due to our change of heart.
It isn't a case of whomsoever gives the most money to charity, and/or does the most good works, nor that it could purchase you a better position in heaven, so there is nothing to be gained by doing good works. We do them because we want to, not because we have to!
Being born again means that the old sinful self dies and is replaced by good, (like a heart transplant of sorts!), not that this means we are completely sinless, but we are given another chance. We then have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us!
This is why we are capable of and choose to do good deeds that we otherwise wouldn't have done before!
Hope this answers your question!

Answer 2

Alittle confusing, but I'll try to answer it. Do you need good works to be saved, easy No. To be saved you except Christ as your savor, what you do afterwards is your choice, you can do good work (what ever that means) or you can be a good person going through life with gods eyes. Can a saved person bring forth good works, yes and or no. Some people (saved) think that just excepting Christ is all they need to do. It's more what you do with your life than and how others see you. A saved person can cut you off coming out of the parking lot. Being saved means growing in god, not showing in god. Question? How many saved christians show not grow.

Answer 3

I believe that Scripture says that good works will follow from faith. More specifically, I believe that salvation will result in better works from the one saved than would have resulted if he/she had not been saved.

That having been said, I would probably still answer "no" to your question as worded. Salvation can come at the last minute, leaving no time for "good works" - that and the word "must" would, I think, answer the question correctly if not adequately.

If we allow for time for the "works" to kick in, I'd still be iffy on the whole thing, although I'm at something of a loss to put it into words. Perhaps the best way to say it is "it should, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't always" and leave it at that.

Answer 4

Any Christian in a saved state will automatically bring forth good works. To love God and to know Jesus means loving everyone including your enemies. You will go out of your way to be kind to the least deserving because that is what Christ would do. A born again Christian cannot help but do good works and you can see Christ in them. They have love for everyone. Another thing that you will notice is that they hate, yes hate sin. Sin separates anyone from God and Christians hate sin, not sinners, but the sin itself. Born again Christians know what sin does to those they love and the strangers in their area.

Answer 5

i hope this will answer your question, and I do understand what you are saying about appears to be double talk.

first, if you are not saved, no matter what good works you do, is going to change your status. we are not saved by works.

secondly, when a person is in Christ, which is to say, they have asked Jesus to forgive their sins, they still are not saved by their good works, we are not saved by works, at any point.

a christian does good works because of the life they have in Christ.

Paul explained it this way. I am crucified with Christ, never the less I live, but not I but Christ lives in me. This life I live, I live by faith the in Son of God.

Paul says, I'm living, but it is Jesus in me doing the good works.

For a christian to say he is doing good works is a lie. It is Jesus living through him that does the good works. Those good works still will not get a christian to heaven. We are not saved by works. The good works are the expression of our inner change to serve Jesus.


In the book of James, you have 2 view points expressed in verses back to back. One is from the spiritual, one from a man looking at one claiming to be a christian. You say you have faith, show me your faith by your works.

Keep in mind, and this is important, one of the works (the good works) is loving your brother. A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.

good works are not just feeding the hungry and so forth. That is part of it, but not lying when you screw up, taking a beating for things you have not done at work or in society so that your christian character takes center stage and people can wonder at why you are so unique.

I hope this answers your question. The question you ask is debated constantly, and all christians, every single one, (the real ones and the fakes) all keep slipping into the mode, I have to do this or that to be saved. It is the Spirit of God that rescues us repeatedly from our own dilusion of good works equal salvation.

email me if you wish

Answer 6

Yes there is a correlation between the two. I believe that you should do good works. From the love in your heart from being saved by grace good works should show thru. Jesus tells us the geratest commandment is to love oneanother, and I believe that is where the good works should come from.
I hope I answered this the way you are hoping, like as you said no one is saved with out Jesus. But, your good works should show that you are saved by Jesus and want to love and help other people. I believe in Romans Paul stated that faith is useless w/ out good works and good works is useless w/ out faith.
God Bless!

Answer 7

Christians are saved by grace not by their good works. After they are saved they can then make a choice to do good works to earn rewards in heaven. For their good works to count for eternity they must do them abiding in Christ which basically mean not in their own power or their own might but by the Spirit. Not by works of the flesh as those who are in the flesh cannot please God - Romans 8:8.

Answer 8

If one who is saved does not have good works then one must wonder if they are even saved. Works comes after salvation. They do not keep one saved or will they merit heaven. Works is for rewards, but we do not work just cause we want rewards, its because we want to see people go to heaven.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

I am born again, and do my best to live a good and decent life, to help others and to be honest, caring and giving. It doesn't mean I don't sin or make mistakes that I need to repent for, but I do the best I can. God loves me and I know that I will have a place next to him in Heaven.

Answer 10

A Christian will do good works because he/she wants to express the love of God/Jesus to others.