As a Born Again Believer, good works come from our new Spirit and move outwardly to good works with guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to change OUR MIND, and RENEW OUR MIND by the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17, Romans 12, Ephesians 2:8-10).
Right believing of TRUTH leads to good works in love for others. This is ‘walking in the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:16).
Good works are… well, good! YES! As born again believers, Christ can work through us. YES!
Yet, we should not look at good works as a REQUIREMENT NOR PROOF that a person is a born again believer having eternal life.
Both saved and unsaved have good works. Will our good works pay for any of our sins?
ABSOLUTELY -NOT-!!
Jesus warned about not believing that lie from FALSE PROPHETS. Having ‘many wonderful works’ will not pay for our sins (Matthew 7:15-23).
In God’s economy of PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS, the only way to enter Heaven (The heavenly New Jerusalem) is be righteous as Christ. Not by OUR WORKS. BY CHRIST’S FINISHED WORK, offered to us as A GIFT. As a GIFT, salvation IS NOT EARNED. (Ephesian 2:8-9). Yet, most pulpits are teaching a false works based gospel, which is no gospel (Galatians 3, 5:4-5). The foretold falling away is here..now. Works for salvation is the very ‘Doctrine of Demons’, Paul warned Timothy about. Today, it is known as ‘Lordship Salvation’. One of the biggest heresies of the End Times generation.
Salvation and righteousness is either accepted in belief on Christ and HIS FINISHED WORK on the cross, having PAID for all sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) as an ONCE FOR ALL PAYMENT EVENT (Hebrews 10:10). BELIEF ON CHRIST SAVES US ALONE, apart from good works! (John 3:14-18, 6:37-40, 1 Cor. 15:1-4) Salvation is either an accepted gift or rejected in UNBELIEF.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)
Believer.. yes, do good works in love of others. But do so with the right motive. Not to ‘remain saved’. Only Christ keeps us sealed in salvation (Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30). Only Christ MADE US RIGHTEOUS (2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2).
Do we deserve God’s GRACE? NO, that is why salvation is by belief on Christ and HIS finished work on the cross. We cannot ‘save ourselves’ by performing good works. Otherwise, grace is no longer an UNMERITED FAVOUR (Romans 2:8, Romans 5).
Let God’s GRACE motivate us to good works in great gratitude, as already eternally saved people.
“Let us therefore FEAR, lest, a promise being left us of ENTERING INTO HIS REST, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto US was the gospel preached, as well as UNTO THEM: but the word preached did not profit THEM, not being mixed WITH FAITH in them that heard it.” (Hebrews 4:1-2 KJV)
REST IN CHRIST believers! And good works of God will flow thru us.
