Salvation by Works

1 Sam 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, but behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way. This is a picture of natural man’s thinking that he needs to give in order to receive of God which is also linked to a salvation by works philosophy. I need to do something good or give something in order to be saved.

In 1 Sam 12, Samuel reviewed all the wonderful things the Lord had done for Israel. 1 Sam 12:24 Only fear the LORD and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. So, the call to serve is based on all the wonderful things that the Lord has done. Service is a natural result of our love for the One who saved us. It’s not something we labor at in order to be saved!

In John 14:15 Jesus says “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” We as believers, must transform from a “salvation by works mentality” to a “works because we love Jesus and love people mentality“. It is a matter of unprofitable works versus profitable works.

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

If one is serving and doing works for any other reason than a love of Jesus and a love for people, then the works are being done for the wrong reason. They’re probably going to get burned up! If one’s motive for working hard at a ministry is because the pastor said so or the church requires it, then it’s probably going to fall into the unprofitable category. If one’s motive for working hard at a ministry is because one loves Jesus and loves people, then that work will be listed under the profitable category!

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