Monday, May 23, 2011

Works Righteousness


Consider This...
Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind ___________________________________________________
Volume I         February 2011         Issue 9

         From the time of Christ’s ascension to the present day, the Church has faced a multitude of doctrinal and theological debates. The debates are a result of passages with difficult interpretations, man’s ideologies, ecclesiastical differences, and the sin nature within humanity. However different the subjects of debate might be, they affect one crucial doctrine; the means of grace (salvation). Upon this stands the system of ones belief, for it determines God’s place and the role of man and his will.
         There are two simple options concerning salvation. It is either righteous works by man or it is the work of Christ alone that saves man. This article will deal with the false teaching of salvation by the righteous works of man and uphold the work of Christ alone for salvation.
         Salvation by righteous works takes many forms within the Church. Many are familiar with the Roman teaching of works salvation by the seven sacraments. The sacraments receive their efficacy from Christ but still require the actions and will of man to impart grace.1 Christ’s death removed man’s guilt and allows him to come before God for eternal life. However, post salvation sins must be forgiven by penance, the work of man to secure perfection for a minimum time spent in purgatory.2
Elsewhere within the Church, works righteousness takes root. The liberal-social churches preach a salvation that is not experienced by the individual only, but is a state of being for the communal group in exercising social justice. Salvation is obtained when the “Church” understands peace and can produce that peace in the world around them. No liberal-social church has obtained this “salvation” yet, but they are striving for it.
         On the other side of the denominational coin lies the legalistic church. Righteousness is gained by an external action or form. Law is elevated over freedom in Christ.3 The law becomes what saves them, not the righteousness of Christ.
There are many belief systems within the Church that hold to one form or another of works righteousness that have not been addressed here. Each false theology has, at it’s core, a salvation that is accom- plished my man’s merit. Christ is not always left out completely, but He is diminished and man is elevated.
One of the unique aspects of the subject of salvation by righteous works is that it is not only found within Christendom, but is a part of every religion in the world. Each false religion has, at its essence, a salvation that is merited by man in some capacity. “God” is seen in different ways, but is always seen as incapable of saving man by his own work.
Islam teaches that conforming to the Five Pillars secures one’s destiny.4 These Five Pillars are works that are performed by man and attempt to appease Allah.
Hinduism views “god” as an impersonal being that has very little to do with the salvation of man. Salvation comes by “escaping the law of Karma and becoming one with God”.5
Similar to Hinduism, Buddhism is a “good works” based religion that seeks non-existence (Nirvana).6
The Mormon Church practices a salvation that is obtained through a progression of action. There is the need for obedience to the Law, repentance, baptism, laying on of hands (for the gift of the Holy Ghost), and the coming into worthiness.7
              Salvation by righteous works takes many forms and is found in all faiths, yet it offers no hope. It produces either humiliation or pride. It takes all glory from the Divine and places it on mere humanity. This is where true biblical salvation stands apart and is defended as the Truth.
         The Bible upholds that God alone is sovereign and is in complete control of His creation; which happens to be all things material and immaterial. Man is part of this creation, yet is special, made in God’s image (Imago Dei). Man is totally dependent upon God for his salvation. Man has no goodness in him that will produce good works to acquire salvation. Man’s thoughts are only wicked. He desires nothing but evil and is consumed with only selfish thoughts. God is only there to appease man or to be appeased. Worship is completely individual centered.
         But God, being merciful, comes to man with a salvation that is free. A Salvation that is not to be earned, but is a gift. The price for mans’ sin has been paid for and is no longer charged to his account. Man need not to be even searching for this, for that will lead to despair. God seeks out man, He elects him, He draws him to Himself, and He saves him.
         This salvation is for one purpose and that is to Glorify God. This is why Biblical salvation can be defended as the only way of salvation. For it takes all focus off man and directs all Glory to the Creator God.

Soli Deo Gloria
John A. Frey III

1Louis Laravoire Morrow, My Catholic Faith, Ecumenical Spirit Edition (Kenosha , Wisconsis: My Mission House, 1963). 266.
 2United States Catholic Conference, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd (Washinton D.C. : Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997).268 Part One, Article 12, Section III, Statement 1030
3R. C. Sproul, "Legalism," Tabletalk, Feb -, 2011: 4.
 4Ergun Mehmet Caner, When Worldviews Collide (Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press). 133.
 5Ibid., 82
 6Ibid., 102.
7The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, ed. Ed Hindson & Ergun Caner (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2008). 360.

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