For three weeks now we have looked at the relationship between faith and works.  Now let’s see if we can review and draw some conclusions.   

There is much confusion on this subject because of concepts taught in the religious world. Doctrines rising from the Protestant reformation centered around the free gift of salvation.  Since salvation is a free gift then it can’t be worked for on the part of man.  This led many denominations to reject the notion of doing anything for salvation.  This is historical fact.  Today, most “churches” scoff , laugh, and reject such biblical teaching as baptism.  Those who do teach it don’t believe that it has nothing to do with salvation (the baptism after salvation idea.) 

This needs to be addressed.  Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16.)  Jesus said do it to be saved so why doesn’t that settle the issue?  Because many are more interested in upholding the particular creed or teaching of the group they are affiliated with.  If the creed teaches that baptism is a work and therefore cannot be associated with salvation then folks will defend that instead of just accepting the word of the Lord.  It is that simple.  Many are more loyal to the creed than to Jesus.

Romans 6:23 speaks of salvation as a free gift but what makes it free?  The dirty little secret is that the word “free”  doesn’t have anything to do with what we do or do not do to obtain salvation.  It is free because the debt was paid for us.  Salvation comes at a price that we could not pay for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23.)  We cannot save ourselves for we are imperfect so the Lord paid the price for us.  If we are going to talk about a “free” gift, let’s get it right. 

But then the Lord tells us what to “do” to obtain salvation.  That’s right - do!  Who can be saved without faith but that is what we DO.  Who can be saved without making changes in our lives to stop sinning - but that is what we DO.  Who can be saved without helping those in need (James 2:14-24)- but that is what we DO.  Even the golden rule tells us to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12) tells us that Christianity is a life of DOING.  Every denomination recognizes that there are some things to do to be pleasing to the Lord.  Why is baptism any different?  Jesus said do it regardless of what anyone’s creed teaches.  Faith will cause a person to act on what they believe in but to many believe in their church doctrine instead of Jesus Christ.  Show me your faith by your works and I’ll show you how to be saved by what Jesus said.