The Biggest Lie in Religion

Romans 4:2 - 5 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3.) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4.) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5.) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Last Wednesday night we looked into this passage of scripture (as we are going through the book of Romans on Wednesday nights). As I prepared for my lesson last week I was wondering how Paul, but much more God could be so pacific in the scripture on salvation and how it could be such a stumbling block to mankind in the world of religion. Most and almost all other denominations outside of Baptist teach some sort of works for salvation and after reading this passage of scripture one must wonder why. Why must their salvation include a work on their part, isn’t it possible that the blood of Jesus is enough to cover our sins? If you compare this passage of scripture to Ephesians 1 – 2, and Acts 16 among so many more God makes it certainly clear how one is saved and He never includes works on our part. I find it very necessary to say this even though it may unset so many, to believe that salvation is anything outside of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to believe a lie. It is too important to miss on this point; it means eternal damnation in the eternal lake of fire. I do not say “lie” in order to boast of the gift that God has given to me and neither do I say it to insult anyone else, but rather to call a spade a spade and to call works for salvation what it is, a lie. Many people will stand before Jesus Christ at the great white throne and wonder what went wrong Matthew 7:21 - 23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22.) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23.) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” I would to God that person is not you.

Paul in Romans goes to great lengths and repeatedly confirms that works is absolute not a part of salvation. He has argued almost ever argument that the Jews cast his way, step by step he has proven his point to them. The Jews just could not understand how wrong they were on the law and salvation. Paul used there great leader Abraham and how as great as he was, he was not saved by his works or his greatness for God but rather his faith was counted for his righteousness before God. Paul said in verse 2 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” Since our works are accounted to our goodness and sometimes even our greatness they belong to us; but salvation is by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 – 9. Paul went on in verse 4 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” The word “reckoned” means – concluded – meaning if salvation is of works it is not of grace but rather of a debt which is earned, as a paycheck is earned. Now my question is; is my paycheck I receive on Friday given to me from my boss because I earned it or because of his grace to me? Grace here means unmerited favor so if I earned my paycheck then it cannot be given as a gift because my boss gave me what I earned instead of an unmerited favor. 1 + 1 no more equals three than grace + works equal unmerited favor. The word “unmerited” means – undeserved or unearned – how could salvation be the gift from God if it is earned through works? You may ask could it not include works and faith. Paul gives you an answer in verse 5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” But to him who worketh NOT but has faith; it is that faith and not his works that is counted as rightiousness before God. And as Paul said this is “reckoned” or “concluded”.