Faith + Work = Salvation

 One of the major conception about salvation that divided Catholicism and Protestantism is this about Salvation. 

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” (Romans 2:6)

Based on this verse and other similar verses, the Roman Catholic believes that faith alone is not correct. "Works" definitely has something to do with salvation. 

Now, I am writing this not to divide the 2 beloved religion even further (which I strongly believe should be considered as 1). I am writing this to clarify the truth from my understanding of the Bible. Whoever is reading this, you are given a humanly wisdom and spiritual wisdom to discern the truth. There are many mysteries in the Bible that don't affect your salvation. Those knowledge are good-to-know basis, make you smarter. But there are mysteries that will affect your mindset about the most crucial thing, our salvation. This is one of them.

First thing first, Romans 2:6, if you realise, Paul was quoting from Psalm 62.

Link here:
https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/PSA.62.NIV

“You reward everyone according to what they have done.” (Psalm 62:12)

This is the original verse that Paul quoted in Romans 2:6.

Let us take a look at what the people have done in Psalm 62. 

Wicked people: 

V4: take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

Godly people:

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

my hope comes from him.

6Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

I know that Psalm 62 is not an exhaustive list of what godly people has done. But one thing that caught my attention when I read Psalm 62, is that there is no good works mentioned. It is all about our attitudes towards God. 

Since all of us are given humanly wisdom, let us consider a scenario where "good works" is needed for salvation. 

How about disabled people who can't do any good works? How about a full-time housewife that is so ever busy serving the husband, children and taking care of the house? (No, I am not referring to myself) And what will happen to someone who did a lot of good works? Most likely that person will feel superior! He will feel proud! Because he/ she has done so much good works, God will reward him/ her with greater reward than others who don't? This outcome goes against God's will for us. God doesn't want us to be prideful and to boast about what we have done. That is why we are justified by faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. ~ Galatians 2:16

Romans 4 says : 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

4Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 

So does it mean that when we become Christian, we do not need to do good work at all?

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3:31)

Currently, I am doing a Bible study on Romans, and it blew my mind! I have come to learn that Salvation is indeed by God's grace alone. And to keep our salvation is by keeping that faith in God. NOT BY WORKS.

So to answer to the question above whether we need to work at all, the answer is "NO". BUT!! Read on please! 

GOOD WORKS ARE AN EVIDENCE OF YOUR SALVATION! 

I repeat, good works are a proof that you are saved. 

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY THAT YOU ARE A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN, BUT YOU ARE NOT DOING ANY GOOD WORKS. 

I.M.P.O.S.S.I.B.L.E

Let me explain a little bit more.

When you accepted Jesus Christ and surrender your life to Him, your status, more like "citizenship status", changed. You are no longer a Child of this world. You become a child of God. You know what happens when you ask Jesus to come into your life? God will send His Spirit to you to transform your heart, your life, your mind, from the inside out. He will turn you to be more like Jesus. Imagine for a second, that you are Jesus. What will do you do when you hear someone needs help? What will you do when you see someone falsely accused? What will you do about your broken relationship with you parents? You will automatically have this burden in your heart to help out, to speak up for your friend or colleague, and to mend broken relationship. You will be doing good works, not because you have to, but it is because of WHO YOU ARE. 

We received eternal life by faith, because of what Jesus has done for us. And to keep that salvation, we have to continuously keep that faith in Christ. Good works are evidence that you have the saving faith.

God bless!

Ps : "Good Works" is not only volunteer works. It includes spreading the Gospels, helping out a friend in need, praying for the people you hate, doing your job as if you are doing it for God, serving your in-laws, serving your parents, praying for others, reaching out to friends, taking the time out of your free time to accompany a friend who is heart-broken, and many more