Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5
One of the gravest errors in biblical doctrine—a heresy—is the teaching that works play any part in salvation. Old Testament or New, salvation is by the grace of God through our faith alone.
Romans is a monograph, a detailed study, on salvation: what it is, what it is not, how it is obtained and how it is not. The contrast between grace through faith and salvation by the works of the law is its central theme.
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.
Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Salvation “is of faith, that it might be by grace.” Faith and grace in this context are interchangeable. Grace/faith and works are mutually exclusive; the one cannot exist with the other.
Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Most of the well-intentioned errors in teaching the Bible are due to not rightly dividing it. Good works are our duty to God; what we were created to do. Even so, our works must manifest God’s righteousness not attempt to establish our own.
Romans 9:31-32 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
The law was not given to establish our righteousness, but to reveal our unrighteousness. It is the mirror that shows us we do not measure up.
In seeking to establish our own righteousness by the works of the law, we sin: such striving glorifies ourselves rather than God and boasts in our efforts rather than His grace. We must still do the works, but they must flow from faith toward God and obedience to His commands; only then do they glorify Him. If works had any part in individual salvation, we could boast of our virtue, our merit, before God’s law.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is Bible 101, works have no part in obtaining or maintaining individual salvation at any time, Old or New Testament, nor Tribulation.
Realizing this doctrinal truth corrects several errors such as the correct interpretation of our liberty in Christ; which is once save always saved. To be given the free gift of eternal life then told you must work or lose it nullifies free and gift.
Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Any teaching that the works of the law has any part in our eternal salvation is false. That is not to say that the Lord does not judge our works in this life. Rightly dividing necessitates acknowledging the eternal as separate from the temporal.
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