The Bible makes it overwhelmingly clear that we are not saved by works. We are saved by the cross work of Jesus Christ and His work is sufficient to save all who hear of it and respond by personal faith in Him. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We also read, “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5). Salvation is said to be “the gift of God” (Romans 6:23). One can never earn a gift, it is simply to be received (John 1:12). God could never have said it more clearly or more powerfully than this.
This truth of God’s grace is beautiful music and sweet harmony to the ears of sinners from every generation and every tribe and nation. Speaking of music, I would have loved to have heard Paul sing. It is written that his bodily presence was weak (whatever that means) and his speech contemptable (I think I know what that means) (2 Corinthians 10:10). I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that prison in Macedonia when Paul and Silas were singing their famous duet together (Acts 16:25). Here’s hoping that Silas had much to add. But they were also praying and, knowing Paul from spending a lifetime studying his 13 books, I’m convinced they both did their share glorifying Christ by going over His gospel – time and again.
The amazing part of this event was the moment that God left everyone all shook up by sending His original jail house rock. The puns are intended! The miracle broke the prisoner’s chains and opened the doors, quickly setting them free. The jailor heard the commotion and ran to them – knowing surely they had escaped. He drew his sword to take his own life, only to hear the shouting words of Paul, “Don’t do it, we are still here” (Acts 16:28).
The jailor asked that a light be brought to them, and he fell down trembling with fear before Paul and Silas. He asked the question that has been asked by every generation of man since the very beginning. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Given how most twist the gospel today, Paul could have given a long laundry list of human works added to the finished work of Jesus Christ. But he did not! Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and your house” (meaning, your family can do the same). Wow! What amazing clarity and simplicity.
I have been pondering from the Ponderosa on where to go next with my posts. I think God has led me to begin an adventure taken from Ephesians 2:10. “For we are His workmanship created in Christ unto good works which God has foreordained that we should walk in them.” Simply said, Christians are not saved by works but we are saved to work. We are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Lest there be confusion, Paul quickly adds, for it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12).
Notice that Paul chooses his words carefully. He said we are to work out, not work for, our salvation. Again, the little words make the difference. By “working out,” Paul means that we are to cultivate, to nurture, the salvation that God has put into us. He will be the one working in us to make this happen. Thus, in the end, He will get all the praise for what is accomplished.
Linda and I are working to do that very thing with our blackberry plants right now. They are already in the ground like God’s salvation is in us. Now we have to help work them out (water them, keep the weeds out, fertilize them, keep our dogs off of them, etc.) The more effort we put (the more we work them out), the better, the more plentiful and better tasting the fruit will be. I can almost taste the blackberry cobbler now.
We are all saved the same way and we are all given the very same Holy Spirit the moment we are saved, but we are not all equipped by the Spirit the same. We have been given different spiritual assets in order to work out our salvation. In the end we are all to produce fruit pleasing to God. And there are many incredible rewards for doing this. It will be worth it all, I assure you. Stay safe and stay tuned.