Quote Source – Unknown

A Biblical Christian worldview perspective – The title of this brief post comes from a reader responding to what was clearly an inflammatory (but true) earlier article on the salvific state of Roman Catholic theology. The unreferenced quote he used was likely taken from a Catholic theologian and continues …

“Sometimes the Church is accused of teaching ‘salvation by works,’ but this is an empty accusation. This idea has been consistently condemned by the Church. Good works are required by God because he requires obedience to his commands (Mt 6:1-21, 1 Cor 3:8, 13-15) and promises to reward us with eternal life if we obey (Mt 25:34-40, Rom 2:6-7, Gal 6:6-10, Jam 1:12).”

My Response

Ironically, your quote is evidence of MY point that Catholic doctrine is “works-based.”

Consider … “He requires obedience to His commands and promises to reward us with eternal life…”

Can’t you see that when “requires obedience” comes first and then “eternal life” follows, it is the very definition of a “works-based” salvation?

True salvation does not come from our “obedience” as the first step. It comes from God’s grace and the drawing of the Holy Spirit into our lives (Romans 11:6), which engages our faith (a heart change). Then, as a result of salvation (not as a condition of salvation) the relationship we enter into with God is one of a servant (works).

Salvation is through God’s grace and our faith in Jesus Christ, alone. Sanctification then follows for the rest of our lives as we try to do His will (works). This is the interplay between Paul’s statement in Ephesians, and James in the Book he authored.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

James 2:26 – For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

This theology is not Roman Catholic doctrine, it is Biblical Christian doctrine alone.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words

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