One of the most important doctrines of Christianity, and the foundation to salvation (eternal life in heaven) through Jesus Christ is the means by which we are saved. The biblical perspective is addressed by the apostle Paul in Galatians 2:16 and says "...yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." It is only through faith, given by God, we are saved and that if we"confess with [our] mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in [our] heart that God raised him from the dead, [we] will be saved."
However, James also states that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" in James 2:17. Faith in Jesus Christ and the salvation that comes from Him should lead us to repentance; a recognition of our need for him to do all things, a thankfulness for his undeserved grace, and a desire to serve him with our lives through works.
Faith and works go hand it hand.
I write this today because it just makes so much sense! Any religion that seeks to serve, honor and live for a higher power requires humility and a recognition that there actually is something bigger, something more, that we are living for. There must be something or someone who is responsible for determining our eternal existence and salvation, outside of us.
Something that I love about my relationship with God is that I know that without him, I can do nothing. When I know I can do nothing without him, it makes me dependent on him, and keeps my eyes set on him. And that brings glory to him, rather than myself. Faith in Christ requires that I trust Him for faith to believe and strength to serve. It is only "from him, through him and to him" (Romans 11:36) that I can do anything. I am saved because He has given me faith to believe. It is only God who can give me saving faith, and only God can give me the ability and the desire to serve Him in a pure way.
When religion requires works in exchange for eternal life, the religion becomes about the believer rather than about their god. It is their strength and their actions that allow them to achieve the outcome they desire. But if the believer is looking to serve and live for a being outside of themselves, the religion must be about something outside of themselves. Pride puts us at the center, and pride hinders us from serving in faith. The problem is that I'm not worthy of my own affection. I don't deserve glory for myself. Only God deserves the glory. I seek to live a life glorifying to Him. I live in a sinful world where sin can hold me back from doing what I want to do--bring glory to God. When I remember that I can do nothing without Him, it forces me to go to Him for strength. This is the battle: pride. To believe that one is actually capable to 'save' oneself--this is pride, which is exactly what we need to be fighting when we are living for a higher power!
