Salvation by grace, not works, is at the core of the gospel of Christ. Although works have no salvific impact, this post will show that the role of works in the Christian life is to bear fruit to further the accomplishment of God’s will. Specifically, the post defends the Christian perspective of the relationship between salvation and works, and then provides a defense of the proper role of works.
A Christian worldview supports salvation by grace and not works. Paul is clear that justification is a gift of God’s grace (Romans 3:23, Galatians 2:16). Although other religions, including Catholicism, oppose the logic of the Christian doctrine of grace alone, it is highly defensible. First, critics argue that the doctrine of grace supports antinomianism. Paul faced the antinomianism criticism from the Judaizers and effectively refuted their claims by arguing that if grace leads to disobedience then one must conclude that Christ causes sin – an impossible assertion (Galatians 2:17). The fact is that grace always leads to obedience or it is simply not grace (Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 2:11-12). Second, critics question the fairness of grace by arguing that works should count for points similar to playing in an athletic game, but the logic is self-defeating. Martin Luther illuminated the fallacy in his book The Freedom of a Christian by recognizing that the performance of good works leads to pride, and bad works leads to depression. Regardless, the point system leads to disobedience. Finally, critics also at times use the somewhat tired argument recorded in James 2:24 that works justify men and not faith alone. The context of the passage in James certainly communicates an intimate connection between faith and works, but simultaneously recognizes that faith is the source that powers the deeds.
The proper role of works in the Christian life is to bear fruit in order to accomplish God’s will and further His kingdom. Bearing fruit surpasses simply doing something good, for even a heathen has the ability to perform a kind act. In other words, fruit bearing requires a connection to the Source. John explains that God empowers fruitful works for His purposes with the metaphor of the vine and branches (John 15:5). Additionally, Paul explains that holiness furthers the will of God and works are to bear fruit according to His will (Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 1:9-10). Defending the role of fruit bearing is critical for a consistent Christian worldview. First, critics may quote verses suggesting the role of works is to express thanksgiving. However, this argument potentially contorts gratitude into what John Piper terms in his book Future Grace a “debtor’s ethic” that risks a quid pro quo relationship with God. Second, some quote verses to suggest that the role of works is to prove a right standing with God. However, it is illogical to conclude that man must prove the very thing already proven through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Third, others suggest that Scripture asserts the role of good works is to please God (Colossians 1:10). Although it is true that good works are pleasing to God, this assertion risks a performance-based religion whereby God is pleased and unpleased based on effort (Galatians 2:15-21). Finally, some conclude that the role of works is to store up rewards (I Corinthians 3:14-15). Scripture does support a connection between works and rewards, but asserting the role of works is for the purpose of rewards potentially undermines Holy Spirit directed sanctification due to selfish ambition.
This post has shown that the primary role of works in the Christian life is to bear fruit to further the accomplishment of God’s will. Specifically, it has defended the reasonableness of salvation by grace alone against three significant critiques. Furthermore, it has defended the role of works for the bearing of fruit against a number of faulty views of Christianity that risk undermining the very nature of the Christian doctrine of grace.