For years, there has been a struggle within the church regarding the role of works in the Christians life. Sadly, many people subscribe to works as part of one’s salvation by adding stipulations to the Gospel of grace in stating that one must “turn from sin” (which is never used of the Greek word metanoeo in the New Testament or in the LXX), “commit one’s life,” or “act like a Christian” in order for their salvation to be valid. These common “calls” are not only unscriptural, but they are also a work that the preacher has added to salvation. (For an opinion on how Paul feels about that see Galatians 1:8-9, a book in which Paul never even uses the word “repentance”).
Many times, the role of works has been qualified in a summary commonly known as “perseverance.” The two major schools of theology both believe in perseverance, but both draw different, and unbiblical conclusions that have a common ground: leaving the struggling believer in Hell! In viewing the Christian life through the eyes of a Calvinist, they would say that as long as the Christian “endures” or perseveres to the end, they are “truly” saved but that no one can really have assurance until their death. This is found to be lacking in biblical evidence (without violating foundational doctrines) and leaves the Christian in a constant state of paranoia. Regarding the many passages that are listed in the New Testament like Galatians 5:16-21, Dr. Robert Wilkin remarks that, “Reformed theology… suggests that all true Christians persevere in faith and good works. Thus no genuine believer could die as an immoral man, an alcoholic, or even as a jealous or angry man, since those character traits are on the vice lists as well. The problem with this view is that it still makes good works a condition of getting into the kingdom and fails to harmonize the passages. If you got into the kingdom because you persevered in good works, and another person didn’t because he failed to, you would have grounds for boasting and God would be your debtor.”[1]
The Arminian view does not fair any better in that the conclusion made is that one has lost their salvation. Being saved at one time, the “believer” is now lost once more, either by their own choice, or by repeated sin in their life. The belief of the Remonstrants states: “True believers can through their own fault fall into horrible sins and blasphemies, persevere and die in the same: and accordingly they can finally fall away and go lost.’ The Remonstrants thus taught the possibility of a loss of justification.”[2] This makes a mockery of John 10:28 where Jesus states plainly “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Dr. Charles Ryrie used to tell his students that if eternal life does not mean forever, then it’s got the wrong name!
So how should we look at good works and their purpose in the Christian life? A response that is often given is that of the fact that good works are done because of our love for Christ in what He has done for us in saving us. While this is true, it is often left as the only explanation given. In looking at 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, the Christian will read of his or her future judgment at the Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ. It is important for the Christian to understand that this Judgment is not one concerning eternal salvation, but rather the works done by the Christian on earth, whether good or bad. Eternal salvation was an issue that was settled the moment one comes to place their faith in Christ alone as the object of salvation. When this happens, they are granted eternal life as a gift from God. In looking at 1 Corinthians 3:10-15:
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” [3](emphasis mine)
When we read this carefully, we see that all believers have the same foundation, Jesus Christ. This is the believer’s justification. How we build upon this foundation is involving our sanctification. Our works will be tested before the Lord and all will be saved (because they are all believer’s in Jesus Christ), but some will receive a reward (those who persevere), and some will suffer loss. In looking at 2 Corinthians 5:10:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”[4]
It is a common misconception that all believers will inherit everything simply on the basis that they are believers. This is an idea that is usually derived from a lack of complete Biblical teaching in their church concerning the 2nd greatest day of the believer’s life. One needs only to look at Luke 19:11-27 to see that there is a great distinction between those who are faithful and obedient (“Well done, good servant!” v.17- rules over 10 cities), those who are “pretty faithful” and obedient (v.18- 5 cities), and the servant who is not faithful (v. 24-26- what he has is taken away). Some things that we must observe here is that:
1. All of these are servants with the exception of the “citizens” mentioned in v. 14,
2. The citizens are dealt with in verse 27 (the context and qualifiers leave no room for error in this)
3. That the servants receive a reward for faithfulness, and loss for lack of faithfulness, regarding all that God has entrusted to them.
A Christian may come to the conclusion that this view provides an indifferent way in serving the Lord that just doesn’t seem right because there is a part of “self” in the equation. Let’s look at this from the perspective that:
1. We are not in competition with one another as believers, so there is no jealousy that needs to be aroused or ill-will against other Christians. The only thing that will matter is our deeds before the Lord.
2. The motivation in doing good works is much like the motivation of coming to know Christ as our Savior. Yes, it is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone, but at the same time, I am sure that we understood that we did not want to go to Hell and that it was not a place that we ever wanted to be. Therefore, the decision to accept the free gift of eternal life was something that held our best interest in mind. So it is with doing good works.
Let me say in closing that when God first opened my eyes to this clear teaching of Scripture, I was appalled and offended and wanted nothing to do with it. However, through prayer, study, people praying for me, and trying to look at the Scriptures apart from a view that was twisting my interpretation, I have found that being commended by the Lord for good works done in His Name is a genuine motivator for living out the commands of Scripture and has caused me to be more diligent in my study of the Word in order to know how to please Him! I pray that it will do the same for you.
[1] Robert Wilkin, The Road to Reward: Living Today in the Light of Tomorrow (Irving, TX.: Grace Evangelical Society, 2003), 127–128.
[2] Jeremy D. Myers, “The Gospel Under Siege,” vol. 16, Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Volume 16, 2 (Irving, TX: The Grace Evangelical Society, 2003), 46.
[3] The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 3:10–15.
[4] The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 2 Co 5:10.
