The Constant Church of God presents clear answers to your questions, directly from the Bible!

Traditional, mainstream religion teaches that all we need to do is believe. 

And we will be saved.

And, as proof, they point to this familiar verse in the book of John. 

Chapter 3 and verse 16.

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Just BELIEVE! ACCEPT Christ!  GIVE your heart to the Lord.   

Christ has done it all for you. 

Nothing left for you to do.  

Just sit back and relax because you’ve got it made! 

You’re going to heaven!

Is that what the Bible says?

Turn to Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 8.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The apostle Paul explains there is more that is required than merely accepting Christ, believing IN Him and professing “Lord, Lord!”

First, Paul says that we receive salvation by grace.

Now, what is “grace”?  

Grace is a familiar term we often read about in the Bible. 

However, many misunderstand what grace actually means.

Any leading bible dictionary tells us that grace  means  “favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it.”

Grace is a gift freely given to us by God.  

We do not earn grace or work for it.

And so, if salvation is only by grace, nothing we do, no amount of good works will earn us God’s gift of eternal life.

Secondly, Paul says WE are God’s workmanship.

What does he mean by workmanship?

Paul is saying that God is Creator.

He created all things. And that includes us.  

Human beings.

And God always does things for a reason!

So, from the very beginning, God intended — He purposed — to form and shape us into His very image and likeness.

And that means we must develop the very perfect, righteous character of God Himself.

And Paul makes it absolutely clear that for us to develop God’s character, there’s more that we need to do than simply saying “I BELIEVE.”

Or “I accept Christ.”

And so, Paul says God ordained GOOD WORKS for us to do.

For what purpose did God ordain good works? 

The apostle James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ, wrote this letter to the scattered people of Israel in James chapter 2, verse 19.

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble! 

20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

So, God regards faith without works as a dead faith.

A totally and completely worthless, useless faith.

God does NOT teach faith OR works.

But faith AND works. 

The Bible clearly proves God requires GOOD works. 

Why?

What are they good for?

Turn to the startling, eye-opening answer in Matthew chapter 16 and verse 27.

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Christ Himself says our works will earn a reward!

If I’m going to receive a reward, I certainly want to know what that reward is and what I had to do to receive it. 

Here is the answer. 

Turn to John chapter 14. 

Shortly before His death on the stake, Christ tells His disciples and us today. 

Verse 2.

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a position for you.

The Temple at Jerusalem was an earthly type of the Father’s house.  

And it had many “mansions” or rooms indicating the position or office of the person it belonged to.

The reward then of our good works is not salvation.

Let me repeat, salvation is a FREE gift from God.

Nothing we do will earn us salvation!

But by our good works — obeying God and doing what He says — we will receive our REWARD. 

A position, an office in God’s Government in the Kingdom of God right here on this earth, when we receive God’s gift of eternal life.

Join us again next time to hear more about what the Bible actually says!

This is Ross Abasolo with the Constant Church of God.