Faith or Works? (Ephesians 2 Part 8).

     What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
                                                   Romans 4:1-5 NASB


     There are two paths set before us in this passage of scripture, one leading to death, the other to life. There are millions of individuals who believe that they can earn salvation. They believe that by doing good deeds, performing religious duties or rituals, or by other similar means, they can impress God. They say, "If I can give up this habit," or, "I'm a good person at heart," or, "I hope my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds." People try to reform their lives, make promises and resolutions, and attempt to justify their actions, all in the hope of gaining heaven.
     Those who attempt salvation by works are defeated before they have even begun. God's standard is perfection, and nobody can measure up to that standard in and of themselves. The bible tells us that if we keep the whole law, yet stumble in one point, we are guilty of all of it (James 2:10). By the time we attempt to work our way to heaven, we have already broken God's law, and are guilty. It is all over, there is no way we can measure up to His standard of perfection. (See also What does God require?)
     We read in Romans 2:19-20, that no one will be justified by the works of the law. In fact, the law convicts us of our sin. It leaves us without excuse, guilty before the holy God we have offended. Imagine for a moment that you succeeded in your efforts to earn God's favor. Imagine God being obligated to you, being required to pay you your wages. Imagine your proud boasting at your success. This will never happen. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
     The one who is working for his salvation is a selfish individual. He has his best interests at heart. In his efforts to earn salvation, this individual remains seated upon the throne of his life. He is merely using God as a means to his own happiness. He has no desire to lose his life for Christ. To seek salvation for your own personal gain; to merely avoid hell and gain heaven, is in effect to make yourself your own God, and Christ your servant. Works based salvation is nothing more than idolatry. You will never find salvation if you cannot renounce your life.
     God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

     The salvation that comes through faith comes to those who have yielded themselves up to God with a faith that not only trusts, but also submits. This is the kind of faith that is counted as righteousness. These are the ones who have lost their lives for the sake of Christ. They believe God with a faith that works by love, obeying His words from the heart, not to gain His favor, but from a desire to bring Him glory. The one who believes in Christ in this way is the one who finds the works of the law being fulfilled in his life as he follows the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4). This is not salvation by works, it is faith at work in those who believe. The scriptures tell us that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). This is how we live in Christ, by faith.