The teaching of salvation by works is very common, even within so-called mainstream Christianity. While insisting they strictly believe in salvation by faith, many religious-based organizations, including churches, consistently require their own set of works. Many say their rules are God's commandments. Some church leaders demand the keeping of these works if their followers are to be accepted or even allowed in their congregations. Some imply or harshly demand that adherence is necessary for salvation.
Salvation By Works
In Mainstream
(not biblical) Religiosity:
In Mainstream
(not biblical) Religiosity:
- Mandatory Religious Attendance
- Required Payments
- Compulsory Membership
Mandated attendance and tithes are for the purpose of guaranteeing mental influence and a continued stream of money from followers (customers) by religious leaders (company owners). If the people do not come regularly (frequent shoppers), they can't hear what the leaders want to embed within the people's minds (advertising bombardment).
While the people are assembled, they hear over and over that they must pay money for blessings and as a requirement by God. They are flooded with demands for more money and with other rules of conformity. Scriptures are carefully twisted to deceive the people. Frequently guilt trips are shoved down their throats telling the people that they are in eternal danger if they do not both come and pay regularly. They are told that if they really love God and want to be with him in eternity, they must obey. 2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..."
Question: How is it that, with no biblical basis, so-called "church" rules are more valued than God's commandments? Answer: Matthew 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
I have personally witnessed people who base their very salvation on church attendance and paying tithes because of what had been drilled into their minds. Forced attendance and required monetary payments are works. Many so-called "churched" tithers live in open, willing, and ongoing disobedience to the Bible's teachings. Their attitudes, actions, and words would be considered shameful even for those with no spiritual affiliations, but they believe they are justified because they go and pay.
I have seen some who were planning on drinking heavily and partying all Saturday night give voluntary notification, "...but I'm going to be at church tomorrow morning", as if that were justification. They truly believed that as long as they went and paid, all was well. Many feel that going to church makes anything they do acceptable. That's what they have been taught. They believe they have fulfilled an obligation to God (as if SPIRIT God needs a group audience and money.) Their proposed salvation has nothing to do with grace; it is based on the works of going and paying.
As for required church membership, the commitment of followers to attend a particular congregation gives leaders a sense of growth and also helps them calculate potential income and free labor. Apparently it's not good enough that people attend; they must also sign on the dotted line as official members (consumer loyalty cards). People have been denied church positions simply because they were not "members". I talked with a church secretary who had worked for one church during the week, for over 10 years, but attended another on Sundays. She was told that she must become a member of and regularly attend the church where she worked in order to remain employed there. She said she was told that where she received her money was where she should give it, in tithes and offerings, and must commit to that congregation only.
It may have been illegal for the church employer to do that, but since it happened in a so-called "right to hire" state (meaning employers can terminate workers for any reason or without giving a reason at all), it may have been allowed. I don't know if the secretary pursued the threat legally. She may have simply left that church and found other employment. Still, it is ridiculous that the woman was ever faced with such dilemma.
Some time ago, I saw news reports about a deceased church member whose surviving family had been denied funeral services for the deceased at "their church". The pastor refused to hold services at the church or assist the family in any way because, according to him, the deceased had not paid tithes in years prior to death. The religious leader's decision left the family members distraught.
While the people are assembled, they hear over and over that they must pay money for blessings and as a requirement by God. They are flooded with demands for more money and with other rules of conformity. Scriptures are carefully twisted to deceive the people. Frequently guilt trips are shoved down their throats telling the people that they are in eternal danger if they do not both come and pay regularly. They are told that if they really love God and want to be with him in eternity, they must obey. 2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..."
Question: How is it that, with no biblical basis, so-called "church" rules are more valued than God's commandments? Answer: Matthew 15:9 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
I have personally witnessed people who base their very salvation on church attendance and paying tithes because of what had been drilled into their minds. Forced attendance and required monetary payments are works. Many so-called "churched" tithers live in open, willing, and ongoing disobedience to the Bible's teachings. Their attitudes, actions, and words would be considered shameful even for those with no spiritual affiliations, but they believe they are justified because they go and pay.
I have seen some who were planning on drinking heavily and partying all Saturday night give voluntary notification, "...but I'm going to be at church tomorrow morning", as if that were justification. They truly believed that as long as they went and paid, all was well. Many feel that going to church makes anything they do acceptable. That's what they have been taught. They believe they have fulfilled an obligation to God (as if SPIRIT God needs a group audience and money.) Their proposed salvation has nothing to do with grace; it is based on the works of going and paying.
As for required church membership, the commitment of followers to attend a particular congregation gives leaders a sense of growth and also helps them calculate potential income and free labor. Apparently it's not good enough that people attend; they must also sign on the dotted line as official members (consumer loyalty cards). People have been denied church positions simply because they were not "members". I talked with a church secretary who had worked for one church during the week, for over 10 years, but attended another on Sundays. She was told that she must become a member of and regularly attend the church where she worked in order to remain employed there. She said she was told that where she received her money was where she should give it, in tithes and offerings, and must commit to that congregation only.
It may have been illegal for the church employer to do that, but since it happened in a so-called "right to hire" state (meaning employers can terminate workers for any reason or without giving a reason at all), it may have been allowed. I don't know if the secretary pursued the threat legally. She may have simply left that church and found other employment. Still, it is ridiculous that the woman was ever faced with such dilemma.
Some time ago, I saw news reports about a deceased church member whose surviving family had been denied funeral services for the deceased at "their church". The pastor refused to hold services at the church or assist the family in any way because, according to him, the deceased had not paid tithes in years prior to death. The religious leader's decision left the family members distraught.
There was another report of a young single mother who received a delinquency notice by mail. It was from the church where she claimed membership. The letter was a warning for failure to pay a set amount of money to the church. She was told her membership was in jeopardy if she did not pay. Membership and money are very much intertwined. Membership is a form of obligation for followers and ownership for leaders. Members even use such phrases as, "What church do you belong to?" and "I'm under Pastor [name]". It doesn't even sound strange to them! They don't seem to know that they should belong to God, be under His order rather than that of humans, and be members of the One Body of Christ.
I realize it is extremely difficult for people who have been heavily steeped in the doctrine that salvation is based partially or entirely, on works to perceive differently.Because of what I was taught, I also struggled with that issue for a long time. Many may find it nearly impossible to grasp the Bible's teaching of grace; not grace plus something else, but rather the acceptance of the GIFT of grace alone through faith alone fro eternal salvation.
For some, attempting to achieve acceptance by works is a part of nearly every aspect of life for them. Their careers and social organizations may also demand advancement by levels of works. Nevertheless, it does not change WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS about salvation which is, "...with men it is impossible..." (Matthew 19, Luke 18). It can certainly be frustrating to reconsider what one may have had as a life-long belief. Now that I understand and accept salvation as the Bible teaches, I say as Scripture says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Gal. 2:21)
I have discovered there are those who claim to be Christians, and even ministers, but they disagree bitterly on what the Bible says concerning God's grace. Indeed, since the matter of salvation is so extremely important, it is no surprise that the "father of lies" (John 8:44) would deceive people quite intentionally on the meaning of salvation, how to receive it, and how to live in the blessed confidence of grace.
The whole issue of salvation rests on the person and work of Christ Jesus. Salvation is about who Jesus is and what he did. Neither personal opinions nor long-held beliefs factor into the equation:
BELIEF in Jesus as Personal Lord & Savior + NO WORK = SALVATION
Salvation
by FAITH alone
is not
"Easy-Believism".
is not
"Easy-Believism".
There is nothing EASY about completely surrendering your whole self to an entity, Holy God, that you can't see and don't fully understand. Real belief in Jesus is PERSONAL. It's deep. It's not some concept, general knowledge, or false hope for the hopeless. Biblical belief to salvation is an action of invitation as opposed to only an awareness. That belief is beyond acknowledgement; it is personally opening the door and welcoming Him as Lord.
When an individual sincerely BELIEVES, not just say words, but by pure faith, believes that Jesus is the only one capable of saving his or her soul, that person is emptying self to be filled by and with Him. That's when conversion takes place. A new heart transplant happens and for that, the new Believer is grateful--not proud. He or she does not take this gift for granted by trying to get away with anything and everything. Neither does he or she try to supplement or earn this gift.
Further, it is Jesus, the Messiah, who is rejected when people insist any amount of their own works or heritage can bring about salvation rather than Christ's work alone. The refusal of the gospel of grace often happens when people do not truly believe that Jesus is THE Son of God and has already made the only possible payment for forgiveness of sin (Rom 4:25). Denial of what Scripture says about God's gift of grace is, in many cases, the result embracing ecumenical doctrines that there are "many roads" to salvation and that people can adhere to opposing faiths. Some say the following Bible verse is misinterpreted or can only be applied to those who lived around Jesus' lifetime and near his geographic area:
Further, it is Jesus, the Messiah, who is rejected when people insist any amount of their own works or heritage can bring about salvation rather than Christ's work alone. The refusal of the gospel of grace often happens when people do not truly believe that Jesus is THE Son of God and has already made the only possible payment for forgiveness of sin (Rom 4:25). Denial of what Scripture says about God's gift of grace is, in many cases, the result embracing ecumenical doctrines that there are "many roads" to salvation and that people can adhere to opposing faiths. Some say the following Bible verse is misinterpreted or can only be applied to those who lived around Jesus' lifetime and near his geographic area:
John 14:16
Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth,
and the life:
no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.
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