"Work Out Your Salvation" What (Work) Must I Do To Be Saved?

Cult groups and Christians alike often wonder how much "work" is needed to be counted as righteous before God. They often ask us this question.

Groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses with their endless meetings, door to door ministry, placing their magazines and counting meticulously all the time they spend in these pursuits and efforts, believe that somehow God will approve of their efforts and reward them. They can never be certain that they have "done enough" and always feel driven to do more.

Mormons, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) likewise have their "works"--temple ceremonies, wearing special garments, avoiding certain foods or drinks, tithing, temple worthiness pursuits, researching and being baptized in proxy for their ancestors and others, and missionary stints for their young people. They believe these efforts will bring God's approval and a higher state of salvation. Their works are ongoing as well right up to death.
Seventh-day Adventists with their meatless diets, worshiping on the "sabbath" avoiding all work on certain days, wearing certain clothes, avoiding jewelry etc. are also on a works trip to try and impress God.

In many Christian churches we still find many rules and requirements for one to be a "good" Christian. Those that don't fit the mold set by the denomination are looked down upon.

Many people partially quote the scripture Philippians 2: 11-13 and threaten you to "....work out you own salvation with fear and trembling." and advise you to "get to work" They fail to finish the quote that assures us that "God is at work in us".

So, does our salvation depend on our good works and good deeds?

If so, how many, how much, and how do I know the quota I have to reach?

What if I don't quite make it? Am I then lost? Do I have no hope of salvation?

The following is just a very brief overview of this subject but will give the reader an introduction into the topic people raise about "grace and works".

First off, regarding Salvation we can be assured through Scripture that we are saved due entirely to Christ's grace. The Greek word for "grace" means "unmerited favor", that is, a "gift" given freely with no restrictions. We cannot "earn" grace.

"For by grace you have been saved (past tense) through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast." (Eph. 2: 8,9 ).

There are many other scriptures saying the same thing, so the point is made, we are saved by grace alone and there is no way we can work for it.

However, being human in a "works"-oriented world, we think we must work endlessly to try and earn our way with God. Even Jesus' disciples wondered and asked Him,
"They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them,
"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent". (John 6:28,29).

Wow, what an answer--the work of God is to believe in Jesus Christ, who will then extend salvation to us as a free gift if we but receive Him as our Savior, repent, and invite Him into our lives (John 1:12,13).

So what about all the scriptures about works? They are all related to the subject of faith, not salvation.

There will be good works in our lives IF we have the indwelling Christ.

Works are a RESULT of salvation,
not a CONDITION for it.

When Christ is in your life, you just can't stop talking about what He has done for you, and because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it will be no chore to read and study the Bible, help others, and share the message of salvation.
Works cause our FAITH to grow, not our salvation! "Faith without works is dead"--a scripture always misapplied by JW's to get you to "work out your own salvation", when salvation is not the topic, FAITH is!

We will get rewards from God based on our godly works--these will be a wonderful bonus to our salvation. We'll only know the extent of the "crowns" or "rewards" when we finally get to be with Christ . These are in addition to our free gift of salvation. How wonderful it will be to hear Him say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant"!
The goal is to have a real relationship with God in this life and for eternity after death!

The gospel message is simple: Believe and receive, doubt and go without! God has freely given His salvation by grace to all who would repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus Christ is Almighty God manifest in the flesh, (John 1:1-14) and Jesus Himself said, "Unless you believe that I AM you will die in your sins" (John 8:24).

The cults have not only presented a counterfeit "salvation", but also a counterfeit "Jesus". Find your way to the real Jesus and you will enjoy real salvation, and incidentally, because you are saved, real satisfying "works" that will build your faith. You will then be in the company of all believers through the ages who can confidentially declare that they "know they have eternal life".(1 John 5: 11-15).

WHAT DOES GOD GIVE US WHEN WE RECEIVE CHRIST AS OUR SAVIOUR?

1. We become sons of God. “But as many received Him to them He gave power to
become the sons of God.” John 1:12. This means....

2. We get born again. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of
God.” John 3:3. “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. We were born many years ago
physically into our parent’s family. When we receive Christ as our Saviour, we are
adopted or born into God’s family as His sons, with full rights to all the privileges of
being in God’s family (Romans 8:15).

3. We are saved from the penalty of sin, which is hell, and the Lake of Fire.
We are saved from the power of sin as we yield obediently to Christ’s Word.
We are saved from the presence of sin when we get to heaven. “For whosoever…”
Romans 10:13

4. We get eternal life, living with God forever. “He that has the Son, has life.” I John
5:12.

5. We are reconciled to God by the death of Christ. Romans 5:10. God has removed
the barrier of sin, producing peace between God and us.

6. “We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour.” Romans 5:1.
This means that we are declared righteous, pardoned and all our sins are removed.
We are entitled to all of God’s promised blessings. It is just as if we had never sinned.

7. We are 100% acceptable to God because of Jesus Christ. We do not need to perform
perfectly in order to win God’s acceptance. “He has made us acceptable in the
beloved (Christ).” Eph. 1:6.

8. “We are forgiven all trespasses.” Colossians 2:13. Forgiveness is the legal act of God
where He removes all the charges held against a sinner because Christ has made
proper payment for his sins.

9. We are redeemed. This means that we are bought by Christ out of the slave market of
sin, set free from sin’s bondage, we now belong to Christ, and we are Christ’s servants
to do God’s will. We are not to live a life of selfish ease, but to be useful to God’s
purposes.
“...ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19,20.

10. We are indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit now lives in us permanently.
We must not disobey His leading.” If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none
of His.” Romans 8:9. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God.” Romans 8:14.

11. We will receive a new, young resurrected body that will never die. Romans 8:11.
“His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth.” Job
33:25.
“This mortal must put on immortality.” I Corinthians 15:53.

12. We are new creatures with a new Divine nature.
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature....all things are become new.” II
Corinthians 5:17.

13. God gives us many exceeding great and precious promises in the Bible for us to
claim to guide and help us in life. By these we become partakers of the Divine nature.
II Peter 1:4.

14. God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that has called us to glory (in heaven) and virtue (now). II Peter
1:3.

15. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” John 14:27. “Peace
of God.” Philippians 4:7.

16. We are servants of God. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:1.
“....being made free from sin, and become servants to God.” Romans 6:22.

17. We are ambassadors for Christ. II Corinthians 5:20. We are God’s representatives
on earth with God’s message of salvation to mankind.

18. We are given many Christian brothers and sisters to help and care for us.
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you.”
John 13:43

19. We have a home and mansion in heaven. II Corinthians 5:1,8.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions.....I go to prepare a place for you.” John
14:2.

20. We are now friends of God. “I have called you friends”. John 15:15.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:14.

21. We can lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven which we cannot lose. Matthew 7:20. �

A CHRISTIAN SHOULD...

1. Walk in the Lord. Colossians 2:6

2. Meditate upon the Word of God. Psalm 119:97; 1 Timothy 4:15

3. Wait upon the Lord. Isaiah 40:31

4. Seek the Lord for guidance. Proverbs 3:5,6

5. Always seek God's will and fulfil it. Romans 12:2

6. Be not fearful. 1 Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 6:10

7. Be vigilant and sober. 1 Peter 5:8

8. Resist the devil. James 4:7

9. Be faithful in serving God. Keep the faith. I Timothy 4:7

10. Be a faithful steward. 1 Corinthians 4:2

11. Maintain good works for rewards. Titus 3:8; Matthew 5:16

12. Glorify the Lord in everything. 1 Corinthians 6:20

13. Be an example of the believers. 1 Timothy 4:12

14. Avoid disputes. Philippians 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:5

15. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

16. Refrain from closeness with the opposite sex. 2 Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 7:5

17. Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

18. Be filled with the love of Christ. Romans 5:5

19. Love Christ as the First Love. Revelation 2:4; Luke 14:26

20. Live for Christ daily. Philippians 1:21

21. Be kind to others. Romans 12:10; Colossians 3:12

22. Forgiving others, even enemies. Matthew 5:44

23. Confess all sins and be cleansed. 1 John 1:9

24. Maintain a good family. 1 Timothy 3:3,4; 5:8

25. Love Christ's appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

26. Be not slothful in business. Romans 12:11 �