I believe there is a danger creeping into modern Christianity. That danger presents itself in two different ways. The danger is so serious that many books in the New Testament dedicate at least a portion to the proper understanding of what God intends. The danger is over the nature and results of our Salvation.
Make no mistake, it is the grace of God that allows us to have forgiveness from sin and a restored fellowship with Him. Yes, there are other benefits that we often talk about (like going to Heaven), but the primary purpose of Salvation is to apply Christ’s payment to our sin account. That payment allows the restored fellowship with God.
There is a danger in this; however, when we think that there is anything we can do to restore that fellowship with God. It is only the finished work of Christ on the cross, paying the penalty for our sin, that allows that restoration. And it is only the grace of God that gives us access to this. The Bible is clear that Salvation is “not of works”.
Unfortunately, in our zeal to avoid a “works-based” Salvation, we often go too far and miss the truth. Once we are saved, that isn’t the end of the story. We are saved for a purpose. Consider the following passage:
For the grave of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
~ Titus 2:11-14
This is very clear that we are to pursue good works after our Salvation. Not in order to redeem ourselves, but because that is what we are saved to do. If there isn’t desire and effort in our lives towards good works, then we should evaluate our Salvation. Make it sure before God. Salvation should produce a change in our life.
However, this pursuit of good works has also developed into another error that is almost as common as the lack of change. This error is the error of legalism. A belief that our good works affect our standing before God.
Often legalism is narrowly defined as trying to earn Salvation with good works. This is indeed a form of legalism, but legalism also extends to our lives after Salvation. Our standing or position with God isn’t based on the number of good works that we do. In reality, the Scripture is clear, submissive obedience to God is our “reasonable service”. Good works don’t gain us extra favor, and we aren’t held in a higher esteem if we do good works. They are simply what is expected of us.
The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Galatians to defend the truth of Salvation that was already under attack in his day. How much more can we expect the truth of God to be under attack today. Do not allow Satan to deceive you into accepting either of these errors. Salvation is not without good works, but neither is salvation (or standing) dependent upon good works.
CC
