There is an interesting struggle Christians often find themselves in—myself included. This struggle is the purpose of our “works” as Christians. On the one hand, the Bible seems to stress that they are important, yet on the other hand, the Bible also seems to suggest that they are worthless towards eternal life. Which is it? Shouldn’t it be one or the other? Or could it be both?
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There are typically three camps of thought on this concept. One camp declares that our good works are vital for salvation. They are labelled as “legalistic.” Their line of thinking suggests that you do good things in order to earn your place in paradise. While there may be text that appear to support this idea, the Bible is extremely clear that we are saved by grace not by works (see Romans 11:6 and Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The second camp proclaims that because of grace, it does not matter what we do—ultimately everyone will be saved. This group is sometimes labelled “universalists.” They hold that grace removes the necessity of good works, and since we will all be saved regardless of what we do, we may as live it up. Again, a problem occurs as scripture says that we should not use God’s grace as “a license for immorality” (Jude 4).
The third camp teaches that although our works cannot save us, they do matter. They claim it is obedience out of love. I will admit, that as I have studied God’s word, I find myself in this camp. Let me explain why.
I have learned that not all things are used in the way they were originally created for. I’ve learned this in life: I once made a “He-man” sword out of wood as a kid and it was later used as a paddle for my discipline! Something that was purposely designed and created solely for my enjoyment brought me pain instead. I have also learned that we were created for a special purpose. Paul says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). You and I are God’s workmanship! Isn’t that wonderful? We were created in Christ to do good works. Again, works do not save us, yet we were created to do good works. This seems contradictory, but it isn’t.
First, we must ask, what are these “good works,” and how can we find out which works we were created to do? Some will answer, “Read the Bible.” Yes, the Bible reveals a lot of good works, but which of the many good works am I supposed to do? All of them? Am I to build an ark too? Or sacrifice my first-born son? Of course not!
Paul says that God “prepares in advance” the works He wants us to do. Therefore, it cannot be just any good works God wants, but good works He designed just for us. Much like a screwdriver was designed for screws, we were created for certain good works. Only the One who created us would know which specific works we were intended to do. In fact, if we examined it closer, we would notice that those Biblical Patriarchal “works” came from following God’s specific requests. According to Hebrews 11, each of these great works was done in faith.
Faith is fascinating. Without it, “it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). And Habakkuk 2:4says, “The Righteous will live by faith.” There is no question that faith is essential to our spiritual life. Unfortunately, many today simply define faith as a religious group or a set of beliefs, or as belonging to a specific church or religion. However, Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as, “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith is a relationship term. It is based on an experience of past trustworthiness that creates confidence in someone in order to depend on him or her for something you hope for or cannot see. Faith, at its core, is dependence, and it is out of this dependence that our works are to be born.
According to the Bible, faith and works go together. As James puts it, “Faith without works is dead” (James 4:17). He used the example of Abraham offering up Isaac and said that “his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” (James 4:22). Abraham had confidence in God’s promises. His dependence on God had grown so much that if God said something needed to be done, he did it—even sacrificing his promised son.
Notice, also, this faith-relationship concept in Jesus’ teachings: “All who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Thus, it will be those who have built their confidence in, and placed their dependence on, Jesus that will do the works He had been doing. He also says, very plainly, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Therefore, according to Jesus, any good works done by us will come from our relationship with Him.
Jesus further explains this with the illustration of the vine and its branches; He is the vine and we are branches (John 15:1–5, 8). It is interesting that branches can be grafted into a different vine and actually grow roots into the new vine and become a part of the vine. Evidence of a successful grafting would be seen when the branch begins to bear fruit. The branch is completely dependent on the vine for nutrients and health. In His illustration, Jesus points out that like the vine branch, we too must become fully dependent on Him for spiritual health. And the evidence of the successful grafting of our lives into Christ—a fully dependent relationship—will be seen in our “fruit.”
For this to occur, Jesus says that we must remain, or abide, in Him. In fact, separated from Him, we can do nothing. This is a powerful image of the type of relationship Jesus desires. Just as bearing fruit is the natural result of being connected to the vine, good works that come from us are the result of being constantly connected to Christ. (See also Galatians 2:20—Paul mentions this relationship when he credits his life to Christ living in him.)
Does this mean that good works will not exist outside of this relationship? No. But just because the works done are considered “good” doesn’t mean they are what God requested. Jesus tells a compelling parable explaining this: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil-doers!’” (Matthew 7:21–23).
Jesus said He didn’t know them; He had no experience with them. They weren’t in this dependent relationship and, in spite of their “good works,” were called evildoers. Christ called their works, which we would normally consider good, evil! Why? According to Jesus, they were not “the will of the Father.” This is entirely about depending on God—listening to Him and following His commands. Works done outside this relationship of faith have no special salvational value; works done inside this relationship are about loving obedience.
Let me illustrate. Say you get really lost in the the Grand Canyon and a ranger comes to save you. All you have to do is follow everything he asks you to do. I have two questions: first, when are you rescued—when you reach the top or when you decide to follow the ranger? You are rescued when you decide to follow the ranger. Second: by following the ranger, are you rescuing yourself? No, of course not. The ranger is in charge of the rescue. Your only “job” is to follow him. Your “works” are listening to and obeying your rescuer.
In other words, I cannot do good things to be saved, nor do them to keep saved. The reality is that God, in Whom I depend, is guiding me out of the Grand Canyon of Sin and I want to follow Him. Likewise, I will stay away from certain things, not because I am trying to rescue myself or am making an effort to look holier to others, but because the One who is actively saving me says I should stay away from those things. If I am dependent on Him I will do as He says.
The point is this: Works were never meant to save us, but this does not mean they should be thrown out. Instead, our works will reveal where our faith is placed. We cannot please God without faith and we demonstrate our faith in Him through obedience to His leading. The only way we are able to show that we are truly dependent on God is by following Him. He created us, He’s saving us, and He knows what is best for us. We need Him. When we accept this we become totally dependent on God, and we will do whatever He tells us. This is not legalism, it is loving obedience.