Why is salvation by worshiping Jesus without doing good deeds, vs. doing good deeds without worshiping Jesus?
The thief who died next to Jesus on the cross did few if any good deeds and none in Jesus's name, but he was saved simply by accepting Jesus, not by any actions or good works. Why did God choose to save us by faith, vs. by works?
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Asked November 14 2014
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Gary Creel
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George Adams
We cannot do enough good works to enter heaven. Romans says that no-one is good. Jesus' death on the cross atoned for His people's sins. We cannot earn salvation. Our relationship with God is monergistic, which means that our salvation is His effort alone. Because of this, He changes His people and disciplines them. Although one cannot become a good person, God disciplines them and makes them more good. If I loved my parents, my love wouldn't cause me to be rude to them. If I loved God, my love wouldn't cause me to ignore Him. John 15 makes it clear that works are created by salvation, and a lack of them is evidence of no salvation. Something similar is also stated in James ch6.
So, to conclude, it is faith and not works which saves, however God changes us to work for Him, and surely having some idea of what we are saved from would make us more inclined to work for Him. Works are evidence of faith. If someone who claims to have faith has works, then I would question the validity of their faith and salvation.
I would really recommend reading John 15 and James 6.