So, the question is, why good works cannot save us? There are four very important points I would like to share with you.
POINT NUMBER 1- WE ARE SINFUL:
We are inherently sinful and incapable of producing good works on our own. In Romans 7:18, Paul says, "For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh." This passage is very important in understanding our need for Jesus. Because no matter how hard we try, our sinful nature pollutes our best and pure intentions. Our works, even if they appear good to others, are polluted with selfishness and self-centered motives.
POINT NUMBER 2- WE ARE POWERLESSNESS WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Our best efforts to be good fall short because we don’t have the power to obey God in our own strength. Psalm 51:5 says "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." This passage reminds us that we are born with a sinful nature that separates us from God. This sinful nature leaves us powerless to do good on our own. True obedience to God can only occur when the Holy Spirit is fully in control of our lives, guiding our actions and intentions.
POINT NUMBER 3- WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE ALONE:
Indeed, we are saved by grace alone. Once again, let me remind you that our salvation is not based on our good works or efforts because we have zero good works. Desire of Ages page 98 says, “In ourselves, we are incapable of doing any good thing…” No matter how hard we try to be good; we cannot be good and we will not and we cannot produce good works. So, we are saved by grace alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Our salvation is a gift freely given by God, rooted in His unmerited favor towards us. There is no room for boasting in our own achievements. Because all our good achievements happen only because of the grace of God.
POINT NUMBER 4- GOOD WORKS ARE THE FRUIT OF AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS:
As we totally surrender our lives to Jesus and rely on His strength daily, we begin to bear the fruit of good works. Good works are result of our intimate relationship with Christ. When Jesus resides in our hearts, His love, grace, and righteousness overflow into our actions, leading us to serve others selflessly and honor God. Brothers and sisters, let us remember that we have no good works on our own. So let us invite Jesus daily to be the only Lord and Master of our life so that the fruits- which are good works will naturally appear. And let us continually seek to deepen our relationship with Him, so that our family, our friends, our neighbors, the world may witness the good works- the abundant fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte writes from Thailand. His email address is acardeinte@aiias.edu
Follow his FB page: Adventist ToolBoX
To read the previous blog articles, go to SULADS Thailand website and click blog section. Direct link below; https://www.suladsthailand.com/blog-1/
Write a comment
Gwendoline (Saturday, 30 March 2024 18:17)
We are born in sin shape in iniquity love the way the writers describe it
Shalifa (Saturday, 30 March 2024 18:32)
Yes I learnt that we can't be good for our own but in Christ Jesus with the helper of the holy spirit we will Amen.
Magdalena (Saturday, 30 March 2024 18:44)
Even if somebody says they help many people without knowing and recognizing the lordship of Jesus,it is for selfishness motives.
Amanda (Saturday, 30 March 2024 18:50)
Lord please help us to seek You always, abide in you always, as we are nothing without you.
Nelson Gabriel (Saturday, 30 March 2024 19:33)
Do good works with humble heart but not with pride heart.
Louis.kos@gfpng.com (Saturday, 30 March 2024 19:51)
Please always sending me the sermons with the Bible texts
Reselita N Hombre (Saturday, 30 March 2024 20:24)
Thank you for the wonderfull topics.truely God is good.
Blessing (Saturday, 30 March 2024 20:27)
Grace alone will save us
David (Saturday, 30 March 2024 21:05)
Thank you for this study. It is insightful.
Bwambale Benson k (Saturday, 30 March 2024 21:26)
We do good work which is full of falsehood because of the innate sinful nature
Grace (Saturday, 30 March 2024 21:41)
Good works can not saved us because we are sin full, May God help me
Nganai stephen (Saturday, 30 March 2024 21:50)
Faith in jesus save us,let contnue to do good ..love
John (Saturday, 30 March 2024 22:36)
If we do good is just for a season to please men not God.Man sinful nature.
Ronald Mhlanga (Sunday, 31 March 2024 00:41)
If we do good whole heartedly,the lord will also do good forus
Mayuka (Sunday, 31 March 2024 01:30)
May the Good Lord help us work without pride..
We are sinners indeed and roo proud of ourselves
Ssali patrick (Sunday, 31 March 2024 01:40)
I have learnt that recognizing the power of Christ is the best thing we ought to do above doing charity
John A. Adams (Sunday, 31 March 2024 02:28)
Truly we are so sinful that our good works are nothing be God, yes we need His grace and the Holy Spirit leading.
Robert (Sunday, 31 March 2024 03:34)
Thank you dear Jesus for reminding that it is by grace I gave been saved. May the Lord continue to bless you,amen.
Elvis Maroko (Sunday, 31 March 2024 04:52)
Amen
Cameron. Koi (Sunday, 31 March 2024 05:52)
Thank you so much for this encouragement message, it's really help me to understand human nature as sinful being. However, thank you so much for Jesus Christ for His sacrifice on the cross. Amen
Lovemore (Sunday, 31 March 2024 23:55)
Amen. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us to do service for our Master
Iford muchimba (Monday, 01 April 2024 21:46)
Thanks for powerful lesson
K.Tilalati (Friday, 05 April 2024 04:36)
Very true indeed.