Righteous Works
The doctrine of many Christian religions dictates that the works
of man have no bearing on man receiving Christ’s grace. If works of wickedness
act to destroy and condemn us, why would not righteous works act to influence
Christ to use his atoning power and authority to save us in the kingdom of
heaven? Righteous works are a vital part of faith and our becoming worthy to
receive Christ’s mercy. We cannot demand to have salvation in the kingdom of God
because of our works, but our willingness to show our faith by good works is
the very thing Jesus and his apostles preached in their sermons. The false
doctrines circulating in the world today regarding faith, works, and grace are
due to the following misinterpretation of Ephesians 2:8-9, which Paul
wrote to baptized members of Christ’s church in Ephesus. Paul was not
writing to that general population of the Roman Empire and the world at large.
The other apostles of Christ didn’t preach the doctrine saying that grace and
works don’t go hand in hand, they all preached the doctrine saying that grace
and works don’t’ go hand in hand, they all preached that works are a vital part
of our salvation through Christ. . . . [on Eph 2:8-10] Verses 9 and 10 are
incongruous when taken at face value, saying on one hand in verse 9 that works
have no bearing on our salvation and on the other in verse 10 that we were
created unto good works. Pal’s intent was to say that good works alone do not
guarantee one’s salvation.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
to good works: . . .
Why did Paul include the above scripture [Eph 2:8-10] in his
writings to the saints? Perhaps the saints in Ephesus were having a problem
with maintaining their faith. Maybe false pride was becoming an overwhelming issue
as it had always been with the Pharisees and Sadducees. The saints in Ephesus
were probably getting caught up in pride and arrogance, boasting in their
great works, or believing their positions of leadership in the church and
community would guarantee them a position of prominence in heaven, all while
falsely assuming that they deserved great adulation and recognition, much like
the Pharisees and Sadducees in Jewish society. No matter what the reason may
have been for Paul to write those words to them, the Savior grants grace based
on the sincerity of their work, performed and the righteous intent of the heart
(1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his
countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for
the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the Lord looketh on the heart), not on any pretense or feigned
intent. Other scriptures show that good works are essential in proving to
Christ that we are worthy and able to live in God’s kingdom. We will be judged
according to our works, and works are critical to our salvation . . . . Good
works cannot erase sins. No good work can undo wrong. But good works are
essential in showing true repentance and dedication to the principles of
righteousness. All the aspects of living a Christ-like life are essential to
receiving grace. Entering into our second estate through baptism is the
requirement for obtaining the path to eternal life. Grace is granted to the
saints to guide them to perfection that they may be worthy to live in God’s
kingdom. (Ivan Kent Richards, To Find the Path to Eternal Life Ye Must First
Seek to Obtain My Word [Xlibris, 2019], 178, 179, 194)