FAQ) Can a person receive salvation through works?
The New Joshua Generation - A) Works cannot save a person; however, we are saved; therefore, "created in Christ Jesus to do good works."
By grace through faith, salvation is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8–9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Most preachers only read verses 8-9 to keep their members ignorant and returning to the church pews. Also, lazy, apathetic, and self-centered Christians love verses 8-9. Either they do not understand the next verse (Ephesians 2:10) or intentionally overlook it: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Most Christians believe salvation or being saved only involves "I do" before the preacher, going to church, committing unlimited sins because God forgives sins, and flying to heaven to meet Jesus. If someone mentions discipleship ("Good Works"), they revert to "you cannot earn salvation by works; it is a gift." Truthfully, most Christians are lazy, apathetic, and self-centered; they only say "I do" before the preacher because they fear going to hell.
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Works cannot save us, but we are saved; therefore, "created in Christ Jesus to do good works." God calls us His handiwork, masterpiece, artistry, and creation. We are skillfully crafted for a specific purpose. We were NOT created to go to church, commit unlimited sins, die, and go to heaven; we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" on earth. We are created in Christ Jesus to represent Him on earth. God's gift of salvation spiritually transforms, renews, and empowers humans to be utilized for "Good Works." Works cannot earn God's gift of salvation, but "Good Works" (bearing fruit, reaping the harvest, increasing God's Kingdom) result from a person receiving God's gift.
To be saved or to receive salvation by grace through faith means something other than standing lazily waiting for Jesus to return. To be saved or to receive salvation means that you are now a new person; you are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works"; you live with and walk with Christ Jesus on earth; you now represent Jesus on earth. As a result, you are directly aligned with purpose; you can now begin taking the paths "God prepared in advance for us [you] to do."
NOTICE: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Salvation is a gift of God to be exemplified on earth; going to heaven is only the reward. You cannot earn salvation or work to receive it. However, the "Good Works" begins once you receive salvation, which "God prepared in advance for us [you] to do."
The New Joshua Generation - A) Works cannot save a person; however, we are saved; therefore, "created in Christ Jesus to do good works."
By grace through faith, salvation is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8–9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Most preachers only read verses 8-9 to keep their members ignorant and returning to the church pews. Also, lazy, apathetic, and self-centered Christians love verses 8-9. Either they do not understand the next verse (Ephesians 2:10) or intentionally overlook it: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Most Christians believe salvation or being saved only involves "I do" before the preacher, going to church, committing unlimited sins because God forgives sins, and flying to heaven to meet Jesus. If someone mentions discipleship ("Good Works"), they revert to "you cannot earn salvation by works; it is a gift." Truthfully, most Christians are lazy, apathetic, and self-centered; they only say "I do" before the preacher because they fear going to hell.
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Works cannot save us, but we are saved; therefore, "created in Christ Jesus to do good works." God calls us His handiwork, masterpiece, artistry, and creation. We are skillfully crafted for a specific purpose. We were NOT created to go to church, commit unlimited sins, die, and go to heaven; we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" on earth. We are created in Christ Jesus to represent Him on earth. God's gift of salvation spiritually transforms, renews, and empowers humans to be utilized for "Good Works." Works cannot earn God's gift of salvation, but "Good Works" (bearing fruit, reaping the harvest, increasing God's Kingdom) result from a person receiving God's gift.
To be saved or to receive salvation by grace through faith means something other than standing lazily waiting for Jesus to return. To be saved or to receive salvation means that you are now a new person; you are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works"; you live with and walk with Christ Jesus on earth; you now represent Jesus on earth. As a result, you are directly aligned with purpose; you can now begin taking the paths "God prepared in advance for us [you] to do."
NOTICE: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Salvation is a gift of God to be exemplified on earth; going to heaven is only the reward. You cannot earn salvation or work to receive it. However, the "Good Works" begins once you receive salvation, which "God prepared in advance for us [you] to do."