I understand Jason. And, I, too, believe the Scriptures you shared. But, some try to twist that into a "works salvation"--as if we coming under the former Law or turning the gift into an earned income by choosing to believe. They believe that somehow because we believe that God gave us a choice to believe, that it somehow becomes a work that negates the free Gift of God.
It was in that context that I said it was not a work.
At one time in my life, I used to be afraid to think we were saved by works (in addition to God's saving grace). So many good church goin' folk I knew taught this as Scriptural fact, that it must be true. I used to think that way.
But then one day I woke up and realized I was believing a lie.
Many different things testify to this truth.
1. Scripture.
2. Logic.
3. Real world examples.
4. Morality.
1.
Scripture:
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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.” (James 2:17-18).
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9).
“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
"...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).
"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).
"...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).
“...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).
“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).
“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).
2.
Logic:
Just looking at things mathematically as an equation, we can see that "grace + no nothing else = salvation" is a false equation. Many have committed suicide thinking they would be saved by God's grace. It turns God's grace into a license for immorality. For was David saved while he committed his sins of adultery and murder? In other words, if Grace is truly sufficient to save and no amount of good works or holiness plays no part in our salvation whatsoever, then we can be axe murdering rapists and still be saved by having a belief in Jesus. But many will say that no true believer will live like that. They will say they are regenerated, etc., etc. So they believe in a standard of holiness, but they say that it is not required as a part of salvation. It is a contradiction. They are double speaking. They preaching a double message.
The "Grace + nothing = salvation" equation means you can sin and still be saved because sin would be included in the category of "nothing."
3.
Real World Examples:
This is where a Belief Alone type faith crumbles even more. Jesus many times related his spiritual truths with real world examples. These are called Parables. Even a Canaanite woman had expounded upon Jesus's parable with an extended parable of her own and Jesus commended her faith because of it. So this means that if we are teaching spiritual truth, then we should be able to illustrate our belief that comes from God's Word with a real world example. A Belief Alone in the real world does not truly make somebody a good person. Somebody may say that they believe in Jesus, but if they have you tied up and they are planning to kill you, chances are they do not believe in Jesus. Their actions tell another story.
4.
Morality:
The "Grace alone + nothing = salvation" equation is the kind of belief that will lead someone to justify sin in some way (Whether that sin be big or small). Some have told me that they can mow down a crowd of people with a submachine gun and they would be saved while doing so. Others are more subtle and they say that they do not seek to sin but we are all sinners and we are not perfect. But yet, they say they are changed and different. While sinning less than one's old self is good, sinning less does not make one a better person. For they are still doing evil and thinking they are saved. However, the Bible says the fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. For it is why we have to strive by God's power to be completely sold out to God and His righteousness. If not, then we are serving two masters (God and sin). But Jesus says we cannot serve two masters, for we will hate the one and love the other. My prayer is that a person chooses to hate sin and love God. But only one's words will reveal their true heart intentions.
As for belief in Jesus being a work of God:
Well, if Jesus says in His Word to believe in Him is a work of God, I choose to believe that and it is not my place to argue with Him.
In any event, whether you agree or disagree, may God's love shine upon you this fine evening.
May you please be well.
Sincerely,
~ Jason.
