Tag: works

An old disco song from the early 80s contained these lyrics:

I’ll be working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside

Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died

I let it get away

That old hit (written by Denny Randall and Sandy Linzer) could easily be made into a Christian song, but it would be so wrong. In the song, released by the Spinners in late 1979, the story teller boasts to his love that, even though he has cheated and emotionally abused her, he begs her forgiveness and will be “working my way back to you.”

Too often, Christians feel the same way. We promise God that we love Him and will never go back to our habitual sins (this that we love so much). Then, when we fall into the same old trap and sin again, we set out to work our way back into His favor.

The thing is, that doesn’t work for God. When Christ died for us, His sacrifice was for all our sin, past or future. Neither salvation nor sanctification is based on our merit. We can earn neither.

Then how does one become sanctified? Through faith, just like salvation. Read Hebrews 10:10:

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

We have been sanctified. Notice that the word “sanctified” is passive. We are not sanctifying ourselves; rather, God has sanctified us.

Because we are human, stuck in bodies, with imperfect minds, and fragile emotions, we are no more able to live a holy life than we are able to save ourselves from hell.

Why, then, so most Christians get hung up on how we live? Because we often confuse sanctification and holiness with discipleship. Nothing we do will get us into heaven. Nothing we do will make God love us more.

Likewise, so long as we are believers in Jesus Christ, nothing we do will lose is our spot in heaven, and nothing we do will cause God to live is less.

This may sound radical to many in A holiness church, but it is true. There is a place for holy living and Good sites call us to separate ourselves from the world, but we are unable to do either.

We cannot live a holy life. We can only have faith that Christ can live His life through me. Only He can sanctify me and only He can live a holy life through me.

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Q. Aren’t you simply teaching Lordship Salvation?

– James

A. Good question, James. Thank you. If you define Lordship Salvation in the traditional sense, then no. Absolutely not. Lordship Salvation, as the term has been used in my lifetime, means that one must prove himself or herself to earn salvation. In other words, Lordship Salvation teaches that salvation is accomplished by our works. This is in clear conflict with the Bible. This is following the Law to work our way into heaven. If even just one man or woman could do this, then Christ’s sacrifice was unnecessary. We could all just worship William or Sally or whoever accomplished such a feat.

Salvation is obtained only by grace through faith, lest anyone should boast.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

– Ephesians 2:8-9

God didn’t rescue us from sin and death with only the promise of eternal life. Our deliverance begins at salvation and continues to work in us our entire lives. This work of the Holy Spirit is known as sanctification and it brings us to victory over sin. Our divergence at salvation also leads us into a living relationship with our Savior that compels us to do good works. Look at the next verse in Ephesians.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

– Ephesians 2:10

Christ calls us to follow him. He calls us to repentance. He calls us to share in His victory over SIN and death. He compels us through His love and his example (and His commands) to be holy.

One cannot obtain salvation through good works, but one who truly develops a relationship with God will make Him Lord and do the good works that He shows us to do.

Working My Way Back…?

Not by Might