Amazedنموونە

The Work of God

"What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:28, CSB).

When Jesus spoke about good and evil relative to eternal life, it wasn’t to imply that someone can earn their salvation. Eternal life is the result of God’s grace that we receive by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). This is taught continually in the Scriptures and affirmed by Jesus (John 5:24, John 6:40, and John 11:25-26). This theme is also noted early in the Bible. “Abram (to become Abraham) believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6, emphasis mine and Romans 4:3). Other passages reinforcing salvation by faith and not works are Romans 4:5, 5:1, Philippians 3:9, and Titus 3:4-7 to cite a few.

If we believe we must earn our salvation, it’s a heavy burden to bear. How would anyone ever know whether they’ve done enough good or avoided evil appropriately? James, inspired by the Spirit, recorded a sobering statement: “For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all” (James 2:10). Thankfully, Jesus has done everything!

Before Jesus died, he declared, "It is finished" (John 19:28)! Which means that not only is eternal life based on what Jesus did, it is not necessary to add to what he’s done--It is finished!” As John recorded: “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13, ESV, emphasis mine).

This has caused some to mistakenly believe that those “who believe” are free to live as they choose. To continue with the momentary pleasures of sin because of the grace of God. Therefore, before returning to the "return of Christ", it’s crucial to clarify the Bible’s teaching on that issue as well.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for what you did on my behalf, and for making eternal life a gift freely given, and not something I have to earn. Amen.

Romans 3:20-28
Romans 4:1-8,
Titus 3:4-7