Works have gotten a lot of bad press over the years.  Those who do not understand the place that works have in salvation are quick to quote passages like Romans 4:1-6 and Ephesians 2:8,9.  Those who speak of the importance, or even the essentiality, of works, are referred to as being legalistic and Pharisaical, which is a little humorous since Jesus never criticized the Pharisees for being involved in works.  On the contrary, Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees for their lack of doing (Matthew 23:3).  We never find Jesus putting the Pharisees down for striving to keep the law.  God is displeased when people break the law, not keep it (James 2:10).

The question is, are we saved by works?  Most religious people will immediately say no, if for no other reason than it sounds bad to say yes.  The reason it sounds bad to say we are saved by works is because man has been saying we are not saved by works for such a long time.

The answer to the question, “are we saved by works?” is both yes and no, depending on what kind of works are under consideration.  If one is referring to meritorious works by which one can earn justification, the answer is no.  Those are the kind of works that Paul had in view in passages like Eph. 2:8,9.  On the other hand, if one is speaking of works of faith, that is, works that are produced by faith in God and His Son, Jesus, then the answer is yes.

In James 2:24, he says specifically, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”  Can there be any doubt, given this passage, that works save?  The honest Bible student will have to affirm what the scriptures affirm, and the scriptures affirm that works save.

The kind of works that James refers to is just another way of referring to obedience.  Paul used the word works in the same way.  He wrote, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).  Notice how Paul used the words “works” and “obeyed” interchangeably.  To work out your own salvation is to obey God.  Without obedience, there can be no salvation (Heb. 5:9).

It should also be noted that these kinds of works play a part in both attaining and maintaining salvation.  To be saved, a person must obey the gospel (Romans 1:16).  Obeying the gospel involves works.  Anytime there is action that must be taken, that action is a form of work.  From this standpoint, even faith is a work (John 6:28, 29). Repentance, confession, and baptism are all works as well.

These are not meritorious works. They are not things that one does and then is in a position to say, “now God owes me salvation.”  They are actions taken as a result of one’s faith in God.  They are works that allow us to take advantage of God’s grace and enter into fellowship with Him.  Without doing these works, one is destined to be lost (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9). So, are we saved by works?  The answer is yes, as long the right kinds of works are under consideration.

Not only are we saved by obeying God, but our newly required justification and fellowship with God are maintained by our obedience.  To have an association with God, one must walk in the light (1 John 1:7).  Walking in the light certainly involves obedience to God.  We must be doers of God’s will (Matthew 7:21).  Only then will we hear those precious words “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).  Furthermore, these types of works are not things that we can do for a while and then quit.  We must be consistent in our labor for the Lord.  Paul put it like this.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
⁵⁸  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Furthermore, Jesus said that we must be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

This does not mean that we have to be perfect.  The truth is, we all sin from time to time (Romans 3:23).  By God’s grace, however, we will still be saved as long as our faith in Jesus remains intact and we have an obedient mind and repentant heart.  Do you have faith in God?  If so, show Him that you do by your faithful obedience to His Word.  Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!