Salvation is not based on good works. It comes from faith. There are many reasons a person may do good things. Faith is but one of those reasons. Although change in one's actions is an inevitable fruit of faith, this is not instantaneous. I am more mature in my actions than I was a few years ago, but my faith was no less strong then. Faith has been maturing me throughout. If I were to equate salvation with works, I'd say I am more saved now than I was then. But, that would be a ridiculous statement. Moreover, the thief on the cross died hours after coming to faith, but was no less saved by his lack of good works.
So, yes there is a connection between salvation and works, but it is not a causal one. Rather, they are two fruits from the same tree, that being faith.
It is not, as you seem to say faith + works --》salvation.
It is rather faith --》 salvation & works.
Or to put another way, faith in Christ leads to justification AND sanctification.
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Well, it depends on what works you are talking about that saves.
If you are referencing Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism (with no faith, or grace), then it is true.
For we are not saved by works in and of themselves (alone) of our own power (without God or a Savior).
If you are referencing Christ directed works (Which is a part of abiding in Christ - who is the source of our salvation), then we are indeed justified or saved by this type of work (that comes about as a natural result of having faith). This would be the type of work that Christ does within us when we cooperate with Him and His Word by faith.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul is saying it is Jesus who ultimately saves. For Jesus is full of grace (John 1:14); And Jesus is our gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) (John 3:16). For salvation is not "Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism" like the Pharisees believed. For the Pharisees left out crying out to God as their Savior over their sins for forgiveness (See the Parable of the Tax Collector & the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14).
Christ does the good work within us. If we choose to fight against this good work within our lives and we abide in sin and go back to living like the old man in sin, will we be saved? Surely not. God is not in the business of forcing people against their will to believe in HIm or to do what He says. To believe in Jesus also includes believing in what Jesus says, too and not just believing in the person of Jesus and what He has done for us with his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
This is why James says in James 2:24 that we are justified by works (Christ directed works) and not by faith alone. James is talking about Sanctification or those believers who live out their faith with Jesus living in them; And Paul is talking about initial salvation and how we are ultimately saved (Which is Jesus Christ). So yes, works do save, but not by themselves alone. Works save when they are in Christ (God) directed works as a part of being a believer (i.e. having faith) in Jesus Christ. Sin can separate a believer from God. Be not deceived, the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. This even applies to believers. For in Matthew 13:41-42, Jesus will send forth his angels and gather out of HIS KINGDOM (anyone who claims to be of Christ) all who offend and do iniquity (sin) and cast them into the furnance of fire (i.e. the Lake of Fire).
So in conclusion:
Paul is talking about initial salvation and how we are ultimately saved. Paul is also addressing the heresy of "Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism" (That does not include faith or a Savior or grace). This is why Paul contrasts faith/grace with the Law so many times. There was no grace or Savior in the Pharisee religion. Only works.
However, obeying the Commands in the New Testament (And not the Laws in the Old Testament) is not in conflict with what Paul is saying. For Paul essentially says faith established the Law (Romans 3:31).
And Paul says, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"
This is by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2) which is defined for us in verse 1 (Romans 8:1).
James is talking about how we need to have Christ directed works within our lives as a part of our walk with Christ in our faith. That is why we cannot be justified by faith alone in our continued walk with God (as we live out our faith). For James clearly says we are justified by works and not faith alone (Which goes against those who falsely claim that we are justified by faith alone) (James 2:24). However, if one abides in Christ, the good work of Christ WILL be there. If not, then Christ does not live within a person; And one needs to prove whether or not Christ lives in them unless they are reprobate (2 Corinthians 13:5). For without Christ, there is no life or salvation (See 1 John 5:12).
In short, Paul says:
(a) Ultimate and Initial Salvation is in Jesus Christ.
(b) Salvation is not in Man Directed Works Alone.
In short, James says:
(a) Continued Salvation (Faith lived out) is in Jesus Christ.
(b) Salvation is in having Christ Directed Works in your life as a part of having faith in Jesus and in abiding in Him.
In other words, Salvation is Relationship-ism. Salvation is in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism and Salvation is not in Faith Alone Salvationism (That seeks to attempt to ignore God's morality or goodness, i.e. His Commands under the New Testament (And not the Old Testament)).
Side Note:
But make no mistake, though. Sin can separate a believer from God; And God is not a respecter of persons. For if a person commits horrible sins and does not repent of them, things will not go well for them when they die. For Jesus warns us within His Word that even looking upon a woman in lust can lead one to have their whole body cast into the Lake of Fire (Matthew 5:28-30); And Paul essentially says if any speaks contrary to the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of Godliness, he is proud and knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4).
...
ON!
