If one believes that we receive our salvation by "works" and "deeds", what are they and how much is enough?

Question

How can you be sure you are saved if you believe your salvation is through "works" ?

I am not talking against doing good deeds. I am talking about salvation through works.

Answer 1

The good works from our own efforts can never be enough (Romans 3:20 says, "...no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the Law..., and Isaiah says, "Even the value of our righteous acts are tantamount to that of women's used menstrual cloths!" Yuk!), because they will be the evidence of one's exercise of a wrong kind of faith than that which the Bible says are works coming from a "saving" faith! When folks say that faith isn't enough, it has to involve works too, they miss the point of what this "saving" kind of faith is. It is here that both the Apostle James (chapter 2 verse 24, "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone"), and the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works , so that no one can boast") are in agreement, and not in conflict at all. How's this you say? Well, "saving" or Biblical faith is not just intellectual assent, nor just verbal profession of what one believes. No, the Apostle James calls this kind of faith, the faith of the dead (2:26), and even the faith of devils (2:19), since they even do this! Yep, the demons of Hades most likely have a better grasp of Biblical doctrines then what we could ever have! Rather, it is a "living", and "saving" faith, that we are given, and begin to immediately live out, as a gift by the Holy Spirit at the time of our spiritual regeneration (rebirth, being born again, as in John 3:3), which is also of course the time that He begins to take residence in us, and control of us. And, just as the Apostle James says in chapter 2 of his epistle, it is an living and active faith, which the Apostle Paul adds in his letters that is the evidence of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in our works, which also reflects the character and likeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

So, yes, faith without works is dead. However, works done in our own strength are dead too. This sadly is only evidence of the religious (pharisaical) spirit of man; and not God's Holy Spirit. Anyone who is relying on their works in any way in order to procure their salvation, even as an essential ingredient in a concoction of cosisting of both faith and works, somewhat like points gained in order to eventually win a game, is in deep trouble. No, it is only that which is done by His mighty power, which would be evident of this saving, and living faith. And it is evident that the Apostle Paul totally agrees with this, due to the many Pauline passages that indicate this to be so. Especially, and in particular, immediately after his famous description already quoted here of what Biblical faith is; he then says in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Answer 2

There is no assurance if salvation can be recieve by works as proven for the 6,000 years because no one is perfect. Romans 3:23 clearly said that all have sinned and comes short of the glory of God. The Ten Commandments was given to show that man's sin cannot be remedied through works. Therefore in our present age from the time of St. Paul for is he our perfect pattern a sinner saved by grace (1 Timothy 1:15 & 16 / Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:4-5) Therefore our main assurance of salvation for eternal life is through the Word of God only and nothing else and nothing more. But as everything that we plant its the one also that will grow, so because of God's love planted in our hearts through that great promise of eternal life, our faith in Christ Jesus bears spontaneously good fruits.

Answer 3

Well, as a raised Catholic, the RCC and school I attended preached daily that it was through our being kind to others and not sinning and doing as much as we could for the church and financially supporting the church, that we would go to heaven. There was never a mention of salvation as the gift from God that we would get to the Kingdom. It was all about doing good works. As a true Christian I now know it is by the Grace of God I have received salvation as His gift and will go to Heaven. However I also believe that by being a Christian, following the Word, I automatically do things for others because it is what God would want and not for self purpose of getting me to heaven. There is a difference in those deeds and "works"... One is self serving to get to heaven and the other is because we have the HS with us.
************ann

Answer 4

We cannot receive salvation on our own through any works.

To show that we have faith, though, some action (i.e works) is required.

E.g A man has a serious disease requiring an operation, but he cannot afford to pay for it. Another rich man feels sorry for him and offers to pay for the operation. All the sick man has to do is get to the hospital on the day set for the operation.
If the man just accepts the offer, but does not do the work of getting to the hospital, it will be a waste.

The same thing with Christians, God has already offered the way for salvation, but if people just sit back and say "I accept Jesus" and continue living like worldly people, then they'll lose out on the offer.

Answer 5

Ephesians 2:8-10
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Many people misrepresent the 2nd chapter of James and say that is proof that works are what saves you. That is wrong. If you pay attntion to the whole chapter, you see he is saying that if you are saved there is a conversion. That conversion is the change Jesus Christ makes in you. If that change is truly there, the things you do in this world will be in an attempt to glorify God and not be of and like the rest of the world. Your works proove you have faith. The thing is, they will come effortlessly. It won't be something you have to conciously think of, it will be natural because the Holy Spirit will be guiding you. Faith alone is what saves you. The works you do are simply proof of that faith. If you believe your works do anything to save you, then you dent the work Jesus did on the cross saying it was not good enough.

Answer 6

The scriptures are clear that there is nothing we can do by our
works alone that will save us. You may say, I'm good, I provide for my family, I help others,etc. Although living a Godly life (works) is crucial that's not enough. Only by Faith in Him, Jesus,
repenting of your sins (turning away from them, which is a 'form' of works) which all of this is 'being Born again' can one be saved.

("Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3:5)

They works will come to a true believer, because your heart is changed. You won't want to return to that ungodly life.
So faith with works go together. There is no measure of 'What is enough' Only God can measure that. Repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, allow the Holy Spirit to build you up..... and it's a wonderful life from there.

If this can help, visit http://godisareality.com
(don't leave out the 'a' in godisareality, or you'll get a weird site)
God Bless

Answer 7

Theologically speaking, Heaven is a gift. No one can earn it. The only difference between sinners in Heaven and those in hell is that those in Heaven are repentent ones. Good works and deeds now help us to make the correct decision at the final moment of our life. But the gift of Heaven is offered to all at the last moment regardless of how we lived (St. Dimas on the cross). Again, good works and deeds now greatly influence our response to that gift then.

Answer 8

I know of no Christian denomination that proposes salvation is received through works or deeds alone.

Answer 9

while offering salvation, the recent testomony writers heavily chosen words that emphasize grace and freedom. as a consequence, the Bible might desire to not be greater sparkling—salvation is truthfully unfastened, the authentic present of God in Christ, and our merely accountability is to get carry of the present by ability of religion (John a million:12; 3:sixteen; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Answer 10

The works and deeds that are necessary for salvation amount to absolute perfection. He who keeps the whole law, yet stumbles in just one itty-bitty-tiny-little point is guilty of breaking all of the law (James 2:10). Not only this, but if one fail to do the good that they ought, this too is sin (James 4:17).

So we must be continually doing good works and deeds - from cradle to grave - even to the point of selling absolutely everything we own and giving it to the poor and following Jesus (Mark 10:20).

The bottom line is that we must be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).
We must be perfect, as God is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

Outside of this holiness, this perfection, this goodness, this righteousness, we are doomed to die and go to hell for all eternity.

= = = = = = =

Hence, the "good news" (Gospel) of salvation by GRACE alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (for with man, the above is IMPOSSIBLE!) - by which we are forgiven of all our sins and counted righteous, an "imputed righteousness" - Christ's righteousness; washed clean by His blood, and clothed by His robes of righteousness.

That is, HIS works are deeds were and are enough...and, we as Christians - children of God - are credited with His good works and deeds, as if we ourselves did them. And through this "alien righteousness", and only through this righteousness by GRACE through faith in Jesus Christ, are we saved.

They who have ears, let them hear!

-