Do we still have to do good works?

SUMMARY: Before Christ, salvation was obtained through a system of rituals and works, but no one could fulfill the Law perfectly. With Christ, we have already earned salvation by grace, and good works are a result of our new status as children of God. They are no longer a prerequisite for salvation, but they are necessary for a sustained relationship with God. Check out the sermon "Pure Grace" for a deeper understanding of this concept.

Before Christ, justification before God was obtained through a crude system of rituals, sacrifices, diets, and sacred festivals. Paul clarifies that in the old system of salvation by rituals and works, everyone was trapped in a condition of guilt, because no one could fulfill the Law perfectly.


With Christ in your life everything changes. Without Christ you can never do enough good works to satisfy God and earn salvation. With Christ you have already earned your salvation by pure grace. Good works are now a result, a consequence of your new status as a son or daughter of God. It's your way of saying "thank you" for that incomprehensible gift that God has given you.


Good works are no longer a prerequisite for our salvation. They are a result of our status as children of God. They are also a requirement for a sustained relationship with God after being saved.


If you want to delve into this reflection, I recommend you study the sermon entitled “ Pure Grace ”. In this message I preach on the passage from Romans 3: 21-26. Here we have one of the best and tightest definitions of what salvation by grace is from Christian doctrine.

I hope this meditation will be of great benefit to you. See you soon!