Things That
Accompany Salvation
(Hebrews 6:9)
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you doubtless have realized that salvation is `by grace, through faith', to the exclusion of all works as a procuring cause. In this
leaflet we would seek to adjust the balance by showing that while salvation is not, and never can be, of works, it does, and should, lead to works as evidence of life and
product of gratitude:
`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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them' (Eph. 2:8-10).
` ... WORK OUT YOUR OWN salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which WORKETH IN YOU both to will and to do of His good pleasure' (Phil. 2:12,13).
`NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us ... I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might
be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS' (Titus 3:5-8).
These three passages clearly reveal the twofold truth, that whereas salvation does not arise from good works by reason of the sinfulness of those being saved, salvation does most
surely lead to good works as evidence of the new life received by grace.
Abraham is used in the New Testament as an example of this twofold truth :
(1) The apostle Paul, in Romans, cites the justification of Abraham as an example of `justification by faith without works' (Romans 4), the passage referred to in the life of
Abraham being Genesis 15:6, where it is written :
`And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness'.
(2) The apostle James, in his epistle, cites the test and trial of Abraham recorded in Genesis 22, where the faith of Abraham was tested and proved by his willingness to
offer even Isaac his son, when called upon so to do. James' argument is as follows:
`Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect?' (James 2:19-22).