(Q)  Will our good works save us?

Answers to Bible Questions
Scriptures are from the King James Bible

(Q)  Will our good works save us?

(A)  “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath … ” (Romans 4:14,15). This should be self­evident to us. If blessing is gained by the works of the law, it is earned. This is why Galatians 3:18 says: “If the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”

The Apostle Paul, God’s great apostle of grace, declares in Romans 4:4-5: “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Let’s go back to that phrase: “the law worketh wrath.” Many people just don’t want to believe this. Even some clergymen tell us that the law was given to help us to be good; but God Himself says, “the law worketh wrath.” Every criminal knows this, and every sinner should know it. God certainly places strong emphasis on it: “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19) “that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world brought in guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). “Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).

If we come to God expecting eternal life because of our good works, are we not offering Him our terms, which He will never accept? He will never sell salvation at any price, and certainly not for a few paltry “good” works, when our lives have been filled with failure and sin.

Our only hope? God has promised to give eternal life to those who trust in His Son (John 3:35-36, Acts 16:31, etc.). “The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). So, simply trust Christ and accept salvation as the precious gift He purchased for you.

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

God wants us to do good works, but not for salvation. After salvation, then we should please God by doing good works. Salvation is a free gift. We can do nothing to earn it.

John