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The Problems in Personal Evangelism
7. I CAN MAKE IT TO HEAVEN BY MY GOOD WORKS.
In order to be saved by good works, we must keep all the laws of God
without breaking any one of them. The breaking of just one law will
render us guilty.
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it
is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified
by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by
faith. - Gal 3:10-11
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all. - Jas 2:10
Technically, most criminals have kept all the laws of the country
and broke just a couple of them. Yet, they are guilty before society.
In reality, good works cannot wash away our sins.
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye
believe
not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. - Jn 8:24
Imagine a robber who stole from a bank and, after feeling bad about
it, decided to give away all his fortunes to the poor. What will happen
when the law finally catches up with him? Will it say that since he
has done such a noble and charitable deed, he should be forgiven?
Of course not! Likewise, judicially speaking, good works cannot wash
away our sins.
Nobody in the world can do good perfectly.
For there is not a just ( righteous ) man upon earth, that doeth good,
and sinneth not. - Eccl 7:20
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that
I do... I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with
me... O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of
this death? - Rom 7:19-24
No man can be saved by depending on their good works.
To be saved by good works is like a debt we attempt but could not
repay. It is also liken to the strength of a chain which is only as good
as each link. One broken link will render the chain useless.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of
debt. - Rom 4:4 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he is guilty of all. - Jas 2:10
We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ and not by depending
on our good works.
... Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. - Acts 16:30-31
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. -Eph 2:8-9
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. - Rom 11:6
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as
it is written, The just shall live by faith. - Rom 1:17
If a man were to owe a creditor ten million dollars, and he can never
in his lifetime repay that debt, then, the only logical option left is for
someone else to help him pay that debt, and for him to freely receive
with gratitude that generous help. Similarly, we can never repay our
debts of sins and therefore, the only possible recourse left for us is
for God to pay for our sins, and for us to freely receive by faith this
gift of eternal life - "... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord." ( Rom 6:23 )
The grace of God does not find men fit for salvation, but makes
them so. - Augustine
Perfection demands perfection; that is why salvation must be by grace, and
why works are not sufficient. - Donald Grey Barnhouse.
