For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:8-10 (New King James Version)
The subject of works salvation comes up from time to time but is rarely resolved, nor do I expect this blog to be a final say on the matter either. The discussion always includes the famous verses from Ephesians, 2:8-9, that is thought of as the final say so on the topic and, in some ways, it is. The problem is that, once these two verses are introduced, the pendulum swings the other way and those involved with the discussion will sometimes rule out any involvement of works in the salvation process.
First of all, let us look at the initial question, can salvation be earned by doing good works or deeds? The short answer is no, but let’s take a more in depth look at the question. What is “salvation” and what does it consist of? The greek work for “save” in these verses is “σώζω (sōzō)” which technically means “to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment” (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary). In order to recieve that salvation we must accept God’s grace (unmerited favor) by having faith in Jesus as the only Son of the only God and that he will save if we repent. The grace that is extended is not earned, nor can it be, because it is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.
So many times, in memorization or study; however, verse 10 is left out of the recitation, even though it completes the thought of its preceding verses. According to verse 10, we are created for good works, so how does that fit with the previous verses? God freely gives us the grace, as a matter of fact, he also draws us to himself and initiates the faith that leads us to the decision for him as well. Verse 10 is included here because it mentions the next step for all who are saved, good works. Jesus is very clear about these works in John 14:15 where he says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” There is no doubt that works are required after initial salvation because Jesus also reversed it in verse 24 when he said, “He who does not love Me does not keep My words” and if you do not love him you do not possess the salvation we are talking about.
I preached a sermon yesterday from James 2 with the text culminating in verse 24, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (NIV). A person that comes to Christ and accepts the grace of free salvation is to never turn back to the way they were before that change took place in their life. They will act different, do different things and be different people because of the change brought by the Spirit of God living in them. That is why works are so important, to continue in that salvation we must be obedient to God and follow his commands, otherwise we either prove we never had the salvation or walk away from it. The final choice is up to us. In order to be the person that God calls us to be, we need to make our decision to obey him every hour of every day.
Let’s show him that we love him!
-Rev. Kevin E. Bishop
True Peace Through Jesus 
The subject of works salvation comes up from time to time but is rarely resolved, nor do I expect this blog to be a final say on the matter either. The discussion always includes the famous verses from Ephesians, 2:8-9, that is thought of as the final say so on the topic and, in some ways, it is. The problem is that, once these two verses are introduced, the pendulum swings the other way and those involved with the discussion will sometimes rule out any involvement of works in the salvation process.
First of all, let us look at the initial question, can salvation be earned by doing good works or deeds? The short answer is no, but let’s take a more in depth look at the question. What is “salvation” and what does it consist of? The greek work for “save” in these verses is “σώζω (sōzō)” which technically means “to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment” (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary). In order to recieve that salvation we must accept God’s grace (unmerited favor) by having faith in Jesus as the only Son of the only God and that he will save if we repent. The grace that is extended is not earned, nor can it be, because it is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.
So many times, in memorization or study; however, verse 10 is left out of the recitation, even though it completes the thought of its preceding verses. According to verse 10, we are created for good works, so how does that fit with the previous verses? God freely gives us the grace, as a matter of fact, he also draws us to himself and initiates the faith that leads us to the decision for him as well. Verse 10 is included here because it mentions the next step for all who are saved, good works. Jesus is very clear about these works in John 14:15 where he says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” There is no doubt that works are required after initial salvation because Jesus also reversed it in verse 24 when he said, “He who does not love Me does not keep My words” and if you do not love him you do not possess the salvation we are talking about.
I preached a sermon yesterday from James 2 with the text culminating in verse 24, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (NIV). A person that comes to Christ and accepts the grace of free salvation is to never turn back to the way they were before that change took place in their life. They will act different, do different things and be different people because of the change brought by the Spirit of God living in them. That is why works are so important, to continue in that salvation we must be obedient to God and follow his commands, otherwise we either prove we never had the salvation or walk away from it. The final choice is up to us. In order to be the person that God calls us to be, we need to make our decision to obey him every hour of every day.
Let’s show him that we love him!
-Rev. Kevin E. Bishop
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