Fast Fact  - The Role of Good Works in Salvation

 

Defense of the role of good works.

 

     

    Once someone is justified, God’s grace enables us both to will and to do good works that are pleasing to him. These good works (and sins) affect our justification.

    (The hyperlinks will open an online NASB to the chapter referenced)

  • Scripture

    • Major Texts

    James 2:13 - "For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment."

    James 2:14– "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?"

    James 2:21-22– "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God."

    James 2:24– "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."

    James 2:26– "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

    Ephesians 2:8-10– "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

    Revelation 22:11– "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."

    Minor Texts

    1 Corinthians. 4:2– "For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; [Greek: justified] but the one who examines me is the Lord."

    Matthew 12:37– "For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."

  • History / Tradition

  • Summary

    • Since we are both called and made righteous by God, we are set on a life of doing good works. These works are pleasing to God (since they are the fruit of his grace) and they bring our faith to perfection. They, therefore, contribute to our justification. (CCC 2008, 2009)

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