Salvation and Works of Merit

by Travis L Quertermous

From The Reminder, September 25, 2011

Are you going to heaven? On what basis do you believe you are going to heaven? Many people answer the latter question by noting they are a good person who does not steal or lie or commit adultery and that they try to help others.       

But is that the basis upon which God saves us? In Ephesians 2:8-9, the apostle Paul said, “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.” The works of which the apostle speaks are works of merit of which a man might boast. Paul reminds us that no one will be saved one day just because they are a good moral person who has done many meritorious works. The only antidote for sin is the blood of Christ which was shed for us by the grace of God. Grace is defined as God’s unmerited favor. None of us will ever be worthy of such a gift!

Salvation is made available to us through God’s grace. We must receive this gift through faith, which is defined as an obedient trust in Jesus Christ. And what does the obedience of faith require? A group of lost sinners once asked the apostles what to do to be saved in Acts 2:37. In answer, Acts 2:38 says, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” Have you been saved by grace through faith or are you relying on your good works alone to get you to heaven?