MERITING SALVATION

[GodsGrace]

Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not by our works.

8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.



We are saved by our faith in God....no amount of works could save us. This is true of both the OT and the NT.

BUT

There is great misunderstanding between EARNING our salvation and MERITING our salvation.

I'm told that the two terms are the same.

In theology, they are NOT.

To earn means that we work for something and then receive payment, which in this case would be salvation.

To merit means we are already saved and God believes we MERIT our salvation because we are living lives that are pleasing to Him. Or, we MERIT our salvation because we have come to have faith in God.

 

[Nancy]

Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not by our works.

8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.



We are saved by our faith in God....no amount of works could save us. This is true of both the OT and the NT.

BUT

There is great misunderstanding between EARNING our salvation and MERITING our salvation.

I'm told that the two terms are the same.

In theology, they are NOT.

To earn means that we work for something and then receive payment, which in this case would be salvation.

To merit means we are already saved and God believes we MERIT our salvation because we are living lives that are pleasing to Him. Or, we MERIT our salvation because we have come to have faith in God.

True, to merit is to be worthy of His salvation, earning is a works salvation.
This brings Matthew 3:8-10 to mind, mostly vs 8.

"8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

It's amazing how so many Christians still try to perform "good works" through the flesh, believing the more "they" do themselves the better but, they miss the point...they are actually trying to earn their way to heaven...IMHO.

 

[GodsGrace]

True, to merit is to be worthy of His salvation, earning is a works salvation.
This brings Matthew 3:8-10 to mind, mostly vs 8.

"8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

It's amazing how so many Christians still try to perform "good works" through the flesh, believing the more "they" do themselves the better but, they miss the point...they are actually trying to earn their way to heaven...IMHO.

Agreed.
When we are told by the Holy Spirit and guided by Him, then our good works become a gleam in God's eyes. We are doing His will, which is to bring to this earth, the Kingdom of God just as Jesus had wanted. IOW,,,to make the world a better place by doing the will of God.

Love how you explained MERIT...to be worthy of His salvation.

I don't even believe the gospels teach a works salvation...I believe the term is totally ignorant of scripture.
There is NO works salvation....salvation is by faith alone. Works can never save us.

Some will say that my believing in good works/deeds is a "works salvation". Again, no such idea exists.
If we do these good works without the help of the Holy Spirit, they become burdensome.
And Jesus said His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

Matthew 3:8 Yes. First we repent (salvation) then our good fruits are of value to GOD (and not only to man).

 

[Nancy]

Agreed.
When we are told by the Holy Spirit and guided by Him, then our good works become a gleam in God's eyes. We are doing His will, which is to bring to this earth, the Kingdom of God just as Jesus had wanted. IOW,,,to make the world a better place by doing the will of God.

Love how you explained MERIT...to be worthy of His salvation.

I don't even believe the gospels teach a works salvation...I believe the term is totally ignorant of scripture.
There is NO works salvation....salvation is by faith alone. Works can never save us.

Some will say that my believing in good works/deeds is a "works salvation". Again, no such idea exists.
If we do these good works without the help of the Holy Spirit, they become burdensome.
And Jesus said His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

Matthew 3:8 Yes. First we repent (salvation) then our good fruits are of value to GOD (and not only to man).

Before I submitted my life to Christ, I was not spurred on to do good works and, honestly speaking here...I did not WANT to as back then in my world, it was take care of number one! LOL, how ignorant that was. NOW, I actually crave to do them...total flip flop. Love this:

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." No matter where we are, there are always ways to fulfill what God has ordained, amen.

And fully agree that doing these good works on our own steam they are burdensome but WITH God guiding us, they are joyful and not at all burdensome.

 

[GodsGrace]

Before I submitted my life to Christ, I was not spurred on to do good works and, honestly speaking here...I did not WANT to as back then in my world, it was take care of number one! LOL, how ignorant that was. NOW, I actually crave to do them...total flip flop. Love this:

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." No matter where we are, there are always ways to fulfill what God has ordained, amen.

And fully agree that doing these good works on our own steam they are burdensome but WITH God guiding us, they are joyful and not at all burdensome.

Agreed with all of the above....
I think of it this way: When we do good works/deeds after salvation, I believe we have the feeling that we're doing them for God - not for ourselves OR the person who is benefitting from them.

I think it's totally incredible how God changes our heart!
Ezekiel 36:26
Jeremiah 24:7

Also, if we love God FIRST
then we can love ourself
and our neighbor.