SALVATION BY WORKS OR BY GRACE

Luke 18:9–12 (ESV)

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

This parable of Jesus was given to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. They treated others with contempt.

They are self-righteous people.

They are very religious.

They are blameless in their behaviors.

There were Pharisees. They were strict in their religion.

And there was a tax collector. Tax collectors of the 1st century were looked down by Jews.

Luke 18:13–14 (ESV)

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1st century tax-collector.

They were regarded as sinners among Jews because they were agents of foreign power. They were symbol of greed and corruption. They associated with sinners and gentiles. They violated Jewish principles.

He was standing far off. Why? Because he thought he did not deserve to access to God.

He would not lift up his eyes to heaven because of the same reason.

He beats his breast. Why? Because he felt heartache, he could not endure the burden of his sins. His repentance was genuine.

He could not find any hope out of God’s mercy. He knew his miserable state.

And then, who was justified, the Pharisee or the tax-collector? Why? Because he knew his sins and he was truly repentant. Why was the Pharisee not forgiven? Because he thought himself righteous. He did not need the mercy of God.

But the Bible says that all have sinned.

Romans 3:10 ESV

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

And Jesus said “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”

Luke 5:27–32 (ESV)

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

There is another example.

Luke 7:36–39 (ESV)

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”

Luke 7:39–42 (ESV)

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Luke 7:43–50 (ESV)

Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Ephesians 2:8–10 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

All religions except the gospel are religions of works. Their future is dependent on what they do. But the gospel says that salvation depends on God’s works. Salvation is given by grace and it is the gift of God. God works in us. So we are his workmanship, his masterpiece. We cannot satisfy the requirement of the law. Because we are corrupt, we cannot do the requirement. Good works follow the salvation. It is contrary to work religions. Rebellious people cannot do genuine obedience to God.

John 3:3 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Only born-again people can do good works genuinely. Good works is not the condition of salvation but is the purpose of it.