Due to Reformation theology’s fruits, some wrestle with distinguishing between works which do not save and obedient actions. A car metaphor can provide clarity. But first, consider this example of the confusion.
An honest discussion broke out in a retirement home Bible study. The topic was The Good Samaritan. Suddenly, one of the seniors exclaimed, âAll of our lives we have heard sermons that, âWe are not saved by works.â Yet Jesusâ parable is all about what we do!â She had just ďŹnished reading some texts which included Luke 10:25,28,37.
A teachable moment had arrived. How might one unpack the distinction between works of the Law and actively obeying God?
To be sure, Jesus’ parable is anchored in the context of what people ought to do, namely love others (Luke 10:25,28,37). Yet in no way does it hint that obeying the command to love provides a step toward justifying myself before God.
Can Jesusâ emphasis upon obedient heart-motivated actions co-exist with Paulâs message that works of the Law do not save? Certainly! It is only post-Reformation glasses that might influence one message to mute the other.
A Helpful Metaphor
Imagine a pile of plastic and raw metal. Can such a pile of material shape itself into a vehicle? Of course not. However, a factory can use those same raw materials to produce cars. Factories manufacture cars provide transportation. The factory creates the car. The car’s purpose involves transportation.
Envision two cars rolling off of an assembly line. One car is sold and provides a family with mobility. The other car is immediately parked in a parking lot. Over the next 50 years it just sits idly rusting and decaying. Of what value or worth was that second car? In Jesus’ words, it is salt that has lost its saltiness.
In the same way, when we were spiritually dead, without Christ, outside of Godâs covenant people, alienated from God and condemned as sinners, we were powerless to transform ourselves into becoming Godâs new creation possessing holiness, spiritual life, and salvation. However, just as a factory can manufacture cars, God has the power to make us into his workmanship, a new creation infused with 100% salvation, members of his new covenant people characterized by holiness and a new life. Thus because of Christ’s death, God can make us into his people who can stand before him as those declared righteous.
Furthermore, just as a car is made for a purpose, so too in being Godâs workmanship we are given a purpose (Ephesians 2:10; 4:1). Since we are already 100% saved, neither doing good nor pursuing works of faith nor exemplifying love can contribute anything to our salvation. They do, however, cause us to fulďŹll the purpose for which God made us to be his people!
As light we shine. As salt we bring saltiness. As the forgiven, we forgive others. As the grateful, we praise God. As those shown love, our hearts brim with compassion for others. As those united in Christ, we preserve the unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace. Thus, God works through us to achieve his good will within this world (Philippians 2:12-13).
The difference between works of the Law versus working out our salvation with reverence is the difference between trying to earn one’s righteousness based upon oneself versus seeking to fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.
As those whom God has rescued and bestowed with a purpose, can we reject rebellion to seek to live worthy of the calling God has given us in Christ? Always!
Final observations:
Paul used the term âworksâ with both negative and positive connotations. While the New Testament denounces the futility of pursuing the works of the Law to achieve justiďŹcation, it exalts the role of âworks of faithâ and âgood worksâ (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Acts 9:36; 26:20; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10).
So what is the difference between doing works which cannot save and doing the good which is expected? For some seniors in a retirement home, a car illustration provided instant understanding.
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