What is Savation by works or by keeping of Law ?
It is very very rare that one is found to truly believe in Salvation by Grace apart from works or commandment keeping which is Law. Let me make it plain and simple for you, Salvation is by works or by law keeping whenever in our thinking, that the affairs of Salvation are governed by that work or law principle, ingrained in each of us by nature " This do and thou shalt live", Yes it is the do and live principle
Lk 10:27,
28
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right:
this do, and thou shalt live.
Deut 4:1
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you,
for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Yes even if it is obeying the Law or Command to Repent
Acts 17:30 or to believe
Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Or water baptism
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:48
And
he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Now if that is one's thinking, that by obeying any command of this nature, is the basis , the prerequisite for one to get saved, then you are saved by works of the law or works of law, this thinking proves that one is still married to the Law, it does not matter their profession to be of Christ, this type thinking betrays that confession, and such a one is a debtor to do the whole law to Live ! Christ profits you nothing !
Thou doest well !
James 2:19
19 Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
That believing in Christ is a work, a doing well, can be seen here by this scripture, even though this is about believing in the existence of God, it nevertheless presents to us the principal of doing, which is a work.
The word for doest here is the greek word poieō and means:
to make
a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.
b) to be the authors of, the cause
c) to make ready, to prepare
d) to produce, bear, shoot forth
e) to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self
f) to make a thing out of something
g) to (make i.e.) render one anything
1) to (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that
2) to (make i.e.) declare one anything
h) to put one forth, to lead him out
i)
to make one do something
1) cause one to
j) to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about)
2) to do
a)
to act rightly, do well
1) to carry out, to execute
b) to do a thing unto one
1) to do to one
c) with designation of time: to pass, spend
d) to celebrate, keep
1) to make ready, and so at the same time to institute, the celebration of the passover
e)
to perform: to a promise
The word is used for work or joined to works several times as per here:
Matt 7:22
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works?
Matt 23:3
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and
do; but
do not ye after
their works: for they say, and do not.
Jn 7:3
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see
the works that thou doest.
So it is, those who believe and teach that salvation is
contingent upon ones believing, in God or in Christ, or in the Gospel then that one believes and promotes a salvation by works, by doing well !
James 2:19
19 Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
If we recall, this very similar statement was made to one cain here Gen 4:7
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
If we base our Salvation and acceptance with God upon our doing well, then are hopes are built upon the sandy grounds of a works salvation, and unless God delivers us, we are bound to hear these words Matt 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
