Not by Good works
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
In Isaiah 64:6, we learn that because we are all unclean sinners, all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in the sight of God.
Let's see Ephesians 2:1-10 and find the two verses that teach us that a person is not saved by doing good works.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- So what two verses did you find that teach us that a person is not saved by doing good works? These are verses 8 and 9. (verse 8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Verse 9:
Not of works, lest any man should boast). - In the same passage, what verse teaches us that once a person is saved his life should be filled with good works? The answer is verse 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them
In Titus 3:1-8, what verse teaches that a person is not saved by good works? Let's see it.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
- So the question again: what verse teaches us that a person is not saved by good works? The answer is verse 5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;.
- In the same passage, what verse teaches that those who are saved ought to be performing good works? The answer is verse 8: This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Let's see a couple of scriptures.
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:17 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith
Romans 4:1-5 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
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.
If salvation were by works, then men would be able to boast about the things they have done to earn their salvation. And yet God's Word clearly teaches that men are not saved by doing good works, and thus for the person who is truly saved, there can not be boasting.
Let's see Luke 18:9-14
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Did the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 boast concerning his good works? Yes
In what verse do you find this boasting? Verses 11 and 12 (The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess)
- Was the Pharisee saved? Let's see. (And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted). The answer is No.
Imagine yourself standing before the Lord in heaven and put a check mark before the sentence that best describes what you would say to Him:
Would you say: "Lord, the reason I'm here in heaven is because I have been faithful to you and I have tried my best to live a good life and to do those things that are pleasing in Your sight".
Or would you say: "Lord, the reason I'm here in heaven is only because Christ loved me and died on the cross for my sins. I'm able to stand here today only because of Christ and what He has done for me"
The correct answer that the Believer would say is the latter, and not the former.
God works in the believer to do good works
Who is it that works in the believer enabling him to do those good works that please the Lord?
Let's see:
Philippians 2:13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Hebrews 13:20-21. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
From the passages, we see that it is the God works in the believer enabling him to do good works that please the Lord.
Let's also see Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers
Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Did Paul want these believers to please the Lord by living lives that were filled with good works? Yes.
- How many good works can the believer accomplish without the Lord's help? We can answer this by seeing John 15:5. (I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.). The answer is none. The believer can do no good works without the help of the Lord.
- We know that the unsaved man does not have Christ, as recorded in 1 John 5:12. (He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life). Do you think that the unsaved man is able to do good works that are pleasing to the Lord? The answer is found in Romans 8:8-9 (So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.). So the answer is No. The unsaved man is not able to do good works that are pleasing to the Lord.
- According to the words of Jesus in John 6:28-29, what is the first work a man must do in order to please the Lord? (Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent). The first work that the unbeliever must do in order to please the Lord, is that they believe in the Lord Jesus, whom God sent to die for their sins.
Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
So, in fact, without Faith, it is impossible to please God!.
The following two statements are false and would be spoken only by those people who do not understand God's truth:
- I know I'm a sinner and in order for me to be saved, I must stop drinking and smoking and living in an immoral way and I must go to a good church and read my Bible everyday.
According to Acts 16:31, what is God's simple and clear command for the sinner?
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
God's simple and clear command for the sinner is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, what is the first thing God wants the unsaved person to do? To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The other false statement which would be spoken only by those who do not understand God's truth is:
- When I become saved, I'll be able to live any way that I please because a person is not saved by good works, but by faith.
According to 2 Timothy 2:19, what is God's command for the person who claims to be a believer? (Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity)
If a person is truly saved and realises what Christ did for him on the cross, do you think he will desire to live a life that is pleasing to the lord? Yes.
When a person is saved, does he want to live for himself or Christ? Let's see 2 Corinthians 5:15. (And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.) A saved person should live unto the Lord.
True or False questions
- The first thing an unsaved person needs to do is give up all his bad habits and sinful practices. False. The first thing an unsaved person needs to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
- A man is not saved by works. True. A man is saved by the grace of God, through his Faith on Jesus Christ.
- Once a person is saved, it doesn't really matter how he lives. False. Once a person is saved, he lives for the Lord.
- As saved people, we should be fruitful unto every good work. True.
- The believer is able to do good works because it is God who works in him. True
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