Do We Have Anything to Do with Our Own Salvation?

Author : Tom Rainwater

QUESTION: [In a previous article,] you’ve misinterpreted the Baptist doctrine on how to be saved. Ephesians 2:8-10 says “You are saved by grace through faith…” When you truly accept Christ into you life, you are a new creature (2Corinthians 5:17), the old is passed away. Throughout history, humans have always tried to have something to do with their salvation. This is the reason we are saved through grace. Any good we think we do without Christ is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

ANSWER: Hello, and thanks for writing!

Is Faith a Work?In my article on the errors of the Baptist church, I pointed out that many Baptists believe a person is saved by “faith only.” Many Baptist preachers are on record defending that position in religious debate. They also say (as you seem to imply) that “faith” is not a “work” that we “do.” Jesus disagrees:

“Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.'” John 6:29.

The apostle Paul said:

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is indeed something we must do. God has given us abundant evidence for faith in Scripture. The choice is ours whether or not we will believe.

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:30-31.

Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” Grace is everything God has done for us in providing us salvation through Christ. However, that salvation offered by our Lord is conditioned upon our own faith. Faith must be demonstrated in obedience to God’s word. If we do not believe and obey Him, we cannot be saved.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Think about it: If we have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with our own salvation, then we are only saved if God picks us out individually and makes us have faith. What about those people whom God chooses to leave condemned? Is that fair? That makes God a respecter of persons, doesn’t it?

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10:34-35.

Isaiah 64:5-7.The Isaiah verse you quoted does not teach that we’re unable to do anything to please Christ. In that context, the prophet Isaiah considers God’s anger against the sinful people of Judah. Their “righteousness” was “as filthy rags” because they continued in their “iniquities” without repentance. They had ceased having the faith God required of them.

We Cannot Be Saved Apart from ChristWhen men try to be saved apart from God’s instructions, they will fail every time. When we do what He has commanded us, He has promised to save us. It’s that simple.

“Not every one that saith unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:21-27.

What Has the Lord Told Us We Must Do?In His word, the Lord has told us to believe (John 3:16; Acts 10:43), repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30), confess (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:36-38), and be baptized in water for the remission of our sins (Mark 16:16; John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:2-4, Acts 22:16). Study these passages and see for yourself if God has commanded us to do these things. Please. Your salvation depends on it.