Salvation Is Beyond Good Works · WEDNESDAY 04 · Page Visits (4,134) ...And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (Ephesians 2:8-9 AMP). Sometimes, when we tell people, "You must be born again," they ask "Why?" because they feel there’s no need to. "After all, I’m a good person, and I don’t engage in any vices; in fact, I support the work of the Church," they’d say, trusting in their goodness or "self- righteousness." However, to receive salvation is much more than being a good person. It doesn’t matter that you’re the "nicest" person around, you can’t trust in your good deeds to save you. In the tenth chapter of Acts, the Bible tells us about Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Notice his qualities, as Luke puts it: "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway" (Acts 10:2). So, even though a non-Christian may support the work of the Gospel, that alone wouldn’t save him. He would still need to hear the Gospel and have faith in Jesus Christ personally, and confess His Lordship, to receive salvation. As "devout" and "good" as Cornelius was, the angel had to tell him to send for Peter, who would tell him words by which he would be saved. That’s a clear indication that salvation is beyond one’s good works. Peter then preached to Cornelius and his household the message of salvation (Acts 10:43), and they were gloriously saved. John 1:12 tells us, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." The Greek word translated "received" is "lambano," and it means to take hold of, or claim for oneself. It’s quite different from another Greek word "dechomai" which is also translated "receive" in certain contexts to mean "to have something offered to you." In receiving salvation, you don’t wait; you take hold of it and make it yours (lambano). After you’ve received Christ’s salvation and recognized He’s your Lord, that realization drives you to consciously present yourself (spirit, soul, and body) to Him. This is the secret to living for the Lord, and serving Him the way He wants you to. Confession Dear Lord, I reaffirm my conviction that salvation is beyond good works, but only in the Name of Jesus. Knowing this therefore, my heart is stirred to preach the Gospel in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, bringing many to salvation and the knowledge of your everlasting love, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. further study: Romans 1:16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6 : John18:28-19:1-16 1 Chronicles 14-16 : 1 Corinthians 15:29-39 Proverbs 31