Salvation is NOT by Works
Good Works merit Rewards, bad works merit Condemnation accordingly.
“He saved us, NOT on the basis of DEEDS which WE have DONE in RIGHTEOUSNESS
, but according to HIS MERCY, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5)
*obeying Commandments merits the rewards in age-during life but Salvation (“being saved”) is His Gift by His Grace alone and has nothing to do with the “wrong concept of saved by some contribution of works too” as it is written
“Works” is for the “perfecting” of “faith” —> which includes the “justification” for “perfection” gaining “rewards” & ‘not Salvation’ as verses plainly declare:
“You see that FAITH was working with his WORKS, and as a RESULT of the WORKS, FAITH was PERFECTED;” (James 2:2)
“For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH; and that NOT of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God;” (Ephesians 2:8)
These two closely related verses (regarding how Salvation is achieved? By His Grace Alone, His Mercy, His Gift) versus (rewards during age-during life Based on our works too, I.e. more works in truth reaps more rewards) are not to be confused with each other.
Consider:
“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)
The “justification” by “works” mentioned in verse above refers to the “perfection” of “faith” (context) and “not Salvation” as Verse 22 prior clearly states:
“You see that FAITH was working WITH his WORKS, and as a RESULT of the WORKS, FAITH was PERFECTED;” (James 2:22)
The “justification” by “works” in verse above refers to the “perfection” of “faith” mentioned earlier through “works” which merits “rewards” accordingly (the meaning of the “justification” gotten by “works” —> “rewards” —> and “not Salvation”) as the next set of verses (below) so plainly declare & agree perfectly to this “as it is written”:
Here’s a verse stating that there are “different rewards” (based on quality of work be it ‘hay, silver, gold etc.) merited according to our “works” (‘not’ Salvation which is by His Grace Alone):
“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
each man’s WORK will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the FIRE itself will TEST the quality of each man’s WORK.
If any man’s WORK which he has built on it REMAINS, he will receive a REWARD.
If any man’s WORK is BURNED up, he will SUFFER LOSS; but he himself will be SAVED, yet so as THROUGH FIRE.” (1 Corinthians 3:12 – 14)
The Conclusion below says the “same” thing:
“Knowing that a man is NOT JUSTIFIED by the WORKS of the law, but by the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed IN JESUS CHRIST, that we might be JUSTIFIED by the FAITH OF CHRIST, and NOT by the WORKS of the law: for by the WORKS of the law shall NO flesh be JUSTIFIED.” (Galatians 2:16, KJV)
*Please note the difference between “Faith OF Jesus Christ” & “believed IN Jesus Christ” clearly differentiated using different phrases in Greek as evidenced in the KJV English Translation above when “more accurately translated, word for word”.
Also, “Condemnation” due to “not” obeying His Law (practising “Lawlessness”) is a valid point meriting age-during Judgment accordingly as God Judges Fairly.
The phrases
“justified” by the “Faith of Jesus Christ” (alone, no other type of faith mentioned)
“not justified” by the “works of the Law” (not by any of the works verses you quoted can mean ‘Salvation’)
This “Justification” here in Galatians 2:16 is “Salvation” and ‘not’ reward of works agreeing with Romans 3:22 ‘perfectly’ and also including the special case of “some” who will be “justified” unto “Salvation” by ‘His Faith Alone’ with “no” works as mentioned in Romans 3:28 (e.g. ‘the thief on the cross’).
Here are the verses quoted in passage above:
“Even the Righteousness of God which is by FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22, KJV)
And here’s the “Faith Alone” (by “Faith of Jesus Christ”, e.g. to the ‘thief in the cross’ who believed in Christ’s Faith & ‘asked the Blessed Saviour to remember him only –> This thief was “Saved” with “no” works) —> “Faith OF Jesus Christ Alone” Justification unto “Salvation” verse (below):
“Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED by FAITH WITHOUT the DEEDS of the LAW.” (Romans 3:28, KJV)
*Which “Faith” is spoken of in Romans 3:28 here?
The “Faith OF Jesus Christ” as mentioned in Romans 3:22 with respect to “Justification” (Context) all true “as it is written”.
*Best still, the word “works” doesn’t even exist in Ephesians 2:8 which speaks regarding “Salvation”.
“For by GRACE are ye SAVED through FAITH; and that NOT of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God:” (Ephesians 2:8)
And the next verse clearly implies that “Salvation” is NOT of WORKS as “it is written”:
“NOT of WORKS, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9).
Now, where in Ephesians 2:8 points to “Christ’s Faith” and “not our faith”?
“not of yourselves” —> not our faith in Christ
“Gift of God” —> points to Christ’s Faith —> as Salvation speaks of Justification through the Righteousness of God —> seen in Romans 3:22 —> which is imputed upon all & all believing when they “are Saved” —-> through the “Faith of Jesus Christ”
So, what does “believing in Him” mean?
Believe in the Faith of Jesus Christ
That’s the meaning of believing in Him
Believing in Him is “not” works, it’s “faith” in —> the Faith of Jesus Christ —> which “Saves us” first (believers), receiving it in this life itself on earth.
“Works” also shows a “faith” which is “alive” (not dead) whilst on earth “as it is written”:
“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is DEAD.” (James 2:26)
Please note that the last verse above does “not” prove that “Salvation” is attained by “our works” —> but rather, only that “our faith” is “dead” when there is “no” works. No adding to His Word as “it is written”.
In fact the “opposite” of “faith without works is dead” —-> is NOT, “we are Saved by works also, contradicting Galatians 2:16 as well” —-> but rather, simply “faith with works is alive” —> meaning it belongs to a person “actively” carrying out the “Will of God” (implied) in his life, simple as that.
Hope this clears the point, peace to you
(Refuting a ‘popular false claim’ shown in picture)
