"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16
This has been a battle ever since Jesus was here and before, and I know there is not one article going to change the minds of those who believe in works for salvation. All I can ask is that you listen to the scriptures and not tradition or some preacher. I always advise our church membership to listen to the scriptures more than me. The scriptures will never fail you; ever. If you believe that works plays any parts in salvation then you fail to recognize Jesus Christ as your Saviour. You can talk all you want about your salvation but if your faith is not in the saving blood of Jesus Christ then you are lost. 1 John 1:7 "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." It is impossible to be justified by works and faith together, because works steals the glory of the blood of Christ, just as it steals the glory from the grace of God. Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." The bottom line is the two no more mix than gas and water. I understand some mind’s thinking that works can be a part of salvation but the scriptures conclude the opposite. How can God be so firm against works if it has any part in salvation? Ephesians 2:8 - 9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9.) Not of works, lest any man should boast." I have just showed you two scriptures that point blank state that works are NOT in any way part of salvation, now I ask you to show just one where God says different. I am not talking about where you think it says it, but rather where it says you cannot be saved without works. See, if you had one scripture then the scriptures would contradict itself, because these two alone point blank takes works out of the conversation. It is impossible for the law to be a justifier and a condemner. The law was used to show us our sin, or you might say God used it to condemn us. Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." He also called it a School Master Galatians 3:24 - 25 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25.) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." God said once salvation has come we no longer need the schoolmaster. Not that it voids out the law of God but that the law has no more value in salvation. The law and works will always play a part in a Christian’s life, but not in saving a lost person. James 2:17 - 18 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18.) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Every Christian must have works or else they are sill in the lost state. If one only says they believe and never care enough about their Saviour to work for Him then I must doubt their salvation. The greatest work of a Christian is love and if one has not a God given love in their heart then how can they know the God of love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Charity means love. The same thing can be said of works; you can do all the works you want to but if you do not trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour then al your works are in vain. Romans 9:32 "Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;"
