Christian Living

Are Good Works Necessary For Salvation?

by Brother Carlton 
07/21/23
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Salvation changes a person who was "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17.

Many people today live like the Devil in disobedience to God's commandments but they think they have been justified simply because they say they believe and have faith in Jesus.

Do not be deceived by a false faith which does not save.

James describes such a demonic faith that does not have works to back up it's claim. "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? James 2:14. This is a rhetorical question implying "No". That kind of faith will not save him. It is a dead faith.

EXAMINATION for all professing Christians; Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. 6:9-11

Good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith.

Today I watched a video criticizing John MacArthur as one who teaches salvation by works.

Now, I have many issues with John MacArthur's ministry but I don't believe this is one of them.

 I have never heard him teach salvation by works but rather salvation by grace. (Eph 2:8-9)

The Bible does teach that works do follow salvation. (Rev. 14:13) and these works are presumably good because they follow a good and lively faith given to us by Jesus Christ.

There needs to be humility and self-examination amongst those who profess to have faith in Christ. The apostle Paul exhorted those claiming to be disciples of Jesus to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. 13:5

Both justification and sanctification are necessary for salvation. They are not the same but they are inseparable. True believers have both.

Hebrews says that Jesus is the author of our faith.  This means our faith finds it's origin
in Jesus:  "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."  Hebrews 12:2

The excellent 1689 Baptist Confession teaches a Biblical truth that we would all do well to understand and believe.

Read the following. "These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith; 3 and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,4 strengthen their assurance,5 edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel,6 stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God,7 whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,8 that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.93 James 2:18,22 4 Ps. 116:12–13 5 1 John 2:3,5; 2 Pet. 1:5–11 6 Matt. 5:167 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:118 Eph. 2:109 Rom 6:22

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Brother Carlton ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member) and junk removal expert, he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns, and poems, and doing street preaching. See all his videos on YouTube brother Carlton.