Joy Veinot is co-founder of Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc., a national apologetics ministry and mission to new religious movements based in Lombard, IL. She, along with Don, her husband of thirty-two years, have been missionaries to New Religious Movements since 1987. They are frequent guests on various radio and television broadcasts. She is a staff researcher and writer for the Midwest Outreach Journal and is co-author of A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life. She is also the author of the booklet, Characteristics of Cults, and articles in the CRI Journal, PFO Quarterly Journal, and other periodicals. Joy’s email address is bjoyful@aol.com.
We can safely say that the case has been made that salvation is a free gift, not of works. However, under cultic belief systems, faith in Christ is not enough to gain eternal life. Faith is just the starting point, and only gives us the opportunity to save ourself through a system of prescribed works. There are usually long “Do… .” and “Don’t… .” lists. We must do this and refrain at all costs from doing that. For example, do wear the holy underwear, attend all meetings, knock on doors; and likewise do not break God’s laws (biblical sin), or sport a beard (manmade taboo), or tell a lie (possible sin, depending upon whether it is a “real lie” or “theocratic war strategy”)!
Let us hope that by now all of us understand that “keeping the rules” does not justify us before God—that doing good works cannot in any way contribute to our eternal salvation. However where does a Christian stand after salvation in regard to good works? Once we have been saved, what role, if any, does our behavior, good or bad, play in our eternal destiny? Can we lose our salvation by our performance or by our failure to perform? And, if we cannot lose our salvation, does that mean we can just live anyway we please?
Three Views
While there are several different views on this subject, let us consider three common ones before examining the biblical position on the issue. These views are:
- The no-assurance crowd: Faith alone = salvation. But you must hold on tight, keep God’s laws, make sure your confession of sin is up to date, etc. The bottom line is that one might believe in Christ, but end up in hell anyway.
- The Catch 22 “Lordship salvation” position: Faith alone = salvation, and no one can lose salvation. That is good news, is it not? Now for the catch. Anyone whose life does not show Jesus to be the absolute Lord of life was never really saved in the first place! If, at the supposed point of salvation, one does not “make Him Lord as well as Savior,” then He is not Savior at all! “God is not mocked. If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.”
- The “I’m saved, let’s party” view: Faith alone = salvation, and one cannot lose salvation. As far as the Christian life goes, it really does not matter how one lives. Sinful living is not much of a problem; legalism is the only enemy. Happiness and fulfillment in this life are what counts the most. Loving self is necessary before one can love others.
Saints yet Sinners
Of course, there are people the world over who are nominal Christians, people who call themselves Christians, but have not been born-again by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. But can true Christians, those who have actually received Christ, who have trusted Him for their eternal life, live their lives in such a way as to bring shame and disgrace to the cause of Christ? Yes, they can, and many do. How convenient it would be to label as mere professors all those who do not meet our minimum standards for what a Christian should do and be. But it is not that simple.
Now what is the status of such people in regard to their eternal destiny? Have they lost their salvation (view #1), or is it probable that they were not truly saved in the first place (view #2)? It would be tempting to give an accusing inquirer the explanation that each and every party boy or lazy Susan is not a true believer, nor ever was. But does not that response muddy the Gospel waters? For we are saved by grace and, after salvation, we certainly continue in it. Grace, by definition, is unmerited favor. Mixing merit into the bargain causes it not to be grace (Romans 11:6).
No one enjoys having to answer for a fellow believer’s shallow attitude or sinful life. However, we can be grateful that grace is grace when noting the evidence that our own sinful nature is still alive and kicking. Being an honest sinner at least, what basis exists for judging someone else as not fit? Who is fit? The late radio Bible teacher, J. Vernon McGee, put it something like this: “If you knew J. Vernon McGee like I know J. Vernon McGee, you wouldn’t be sitting here listening to him preach…. But don’t get up; if I knew you like you know you, I wouldn’t be speaking to you!” So true! Yet even knowing ourselves the way we do, we (like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day) think we can judge interior purity by the exterior whitewash on the tomb (Matthew 23:27–28).
It is so easy to succumb to a black-hat versus white-hat mentality: Our group consists of the good guys and that bad guy was never really one of us! But, of course that is not true. Christians do not become saved or stay saved because they are the white hats, while outsiders are the evil villains. This is true for two very good reasons. First, it is true that Christians wear black hats, and my own black hat jumps right up onto my head at some very inopportune moments! (It is awful when that happens) Second, some of those “villainous” Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc., have become quite dear to me. As individuals they are not any worse than any other people. Consequently, what follows next is most biblically correct position: view #4.
4. The free grace position: Faith alone = salvation, AND it matters very much how one lives!
Does this seem like a contradiction? It is not at all. The ticket to eternal life, so to speak, is a gift of God and totally free, but gaining eternal life is not all there is to consider! Most think in terms of “going to heaven” versus “going to hell,” but it is foolish to stop there. Anyone planning to go to Hawaii would not focus exclusively upon just getting there. It is true that getting there is the first important consideration, so securing a ticket is crucial. But then there are other important decisions for vacation planning. Planning what to do upon arriving in Hawaii is important. Purchasing traveler’s checks may be a wise step. How about a swimming suit or a rental car? It is possible to get off the plane in Hawaii with just the clothes on one’s back, but preplanning probably would make the stay more enjoyable!
What about our ultimate destination? What kind of an eternal life do we want? What will we be doing forever? Sitting on a cloud, strumming a harp? Sounds pretty boring. But maybe we will be doing just that if we have not invested in our future, and planned for our retirement. We cannot take it with us, but Jesus made it very clear that we can send it on ahead (Matthew 6:19–21).
When believers ask if it matters how they live, the response should be, “Matters for what?” Did it matter how the prodigal son lived his life (Luke 15:11–32)? Did it matter that he squandered his inheritance on a sinful lifestyle? Of course it mattered! Inheritance was lost, possessions were lost, time was lost, self-respect was lost, opportunities were lost, but the son himself was not lost! He was just as much a son as ever when he returned.
We are hard on the older brother of the prodigal. But consider for a moment what his rebellious brother’s “bad heir day” cost! He watched his younger brother treat their good father with utmost contempt. The family name was dragged through the mud; their good reputation wound up in a pigsty. Imagine his chagrin when the little brat came home, and Dad welcomed him back with open arms! He vented his outraged sense of justice on his brother’s well-received return. Did the father rebuke the faithful son? No. He gently explained to him that family is family, and nothing ever changes that. But what about justice? He assured his older son that his faithfulness, his work, and his loyalty would be rewarded. He said, All that I have is yours. His inheritance was intact (Luke 15:31).1
Different Legacies
The idea that our future rewards and the fullness of our inheritance depends upon how we live our earthly lives seems to make us uncomfortable as Christians. It gets lost in the confusion regarding free grace versus good works for eternal salvation. We think it only fair that everyone should have the exact same reward in heaven, assuming that because we are all heirs as God’s adopted children, that our inheritance will be equal. But the Bible does not teach this idea of inheritance. The twelve sons of Jacob received quite different legacies based on the lives they lived (Genesis 49:1–28). Verse 28 states that he blessed each of his sons with the blessing appropriate to him (NIV).
Contrary to our present cultural views on fairness, it would be decidedly unjust to the more faithful among us, if all God’s children were to receive the same inheritance and blessing. The prodigal son had received his share of his father’s wealth and had squandered it. What if, upon the rebel son’s return, the father had taken the older brother’s share of the inheritance and split that with the younger son? That would have been an injustice, but the father did not do that.
There will be a day of reckoning even for Christians. It is the Judgment [Bema] Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Like the prodigal son, there are “bad heirs” who have squandered their inheritance in this life. These are the sons and daughters whose Christian works will not amount to a hill-of-beans. Biblically speaking, they built on their “salvation foundation” with trash—wood, hay and stubble, which will go up in smoke, even though they themselves will be saved (1 Corinthians 3:8–15). Each Christian will receive his own reward according to his own labor. The foundation is Christ, and then each person is responsible for how he builds upon that foundation. Some will stand upon that foundation alone when reward time comes, and their underwear will be smoking! Jesus said, You must be born again to see the Kingdom (John 3:7), but inheriting the Kingdom is something else again. That is dependent upon our own actions after the Lord adopts us.
This is a neglected teaching in the church today; that the fullness of our inheritance is based upon our works. It appears foreign to our knowledge that eternal salvation is by God’s grace alone. The problem occurs when the two are confused. Just because salvation (the adoption into God’s family) is free—completely free with no strings—does not mean that God does not reward His children according to their deeds. The Bible teaches that He does in Revelation 22:12, And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his work. Good works are rewarded. It does matter very much how we live!
The scriptural teaching on rewards somehow seems to smack of self-interest, and we have become conditioned to believe that self-interest is unspiritual. Not so! Having faith does not mean giving up our self-interest. This very faith provides the impetus that helps us to delay present gratification, for a future gratification not yet seen. Faith is the ability to recognize that our true self interest lies in laying up treasures in heaven which will not rust or get lost, rather than pursuing the material rewards of this life which will all perish. Every day we are bombarded with the message that we should live for today, “look out for number one,” “grab all the gusto,” but that is foolishness from a godly point of view! The wise son and daughter will be looking out for his inheritance, building his heavenly portfolio.
Will all be judged alike? Of course not, for much will be required of the person who has received much (Luke 12:48). We have not all been given the same raw materials. We will be judged according to what we did with the time, talents, and material resources we had at our disposal.
Does this mean that looking out for rewards is the best or only motivation for Kingdom service? No, but it is the best perspective on the “bad heir” issue. It demonstrates that we do not need purgatory or some convoluted Lordship salvation view to even the score. God will judge His sons and daughters fairly and reward them accordingly. Since it is His doing, there cannot be anything inherently wrong or unspiritual about it. We are running a race, striving for the prize, and whether we know it or not, there will be a terrible regret awaiting those who squander their inheritance in this life.
Want a Spanking?
What about discipline here-and-now as a motivator? A healthy fear of God should motivate us to watch our behavior and our lifestyles. This fear is not at all like fearing a monster seeking to hurt us, but the fear we have of a loving and caring Father’s discipline. Would a good father be complacent about his children’s character development? Hardly! Though this may not be a happy thought to most of us, God gives spankings to His children (Hebrews 12:7).
But for myself, what spurred me to get involved in God’s work was quite different. The concept of eternal rewards did not enter into my decision to serve God. At that time my view was that the only rewards Christians would receive would be crowns, which we would toss at Jesus’ feet. Christ’s words, that He would be handing out responsibilities and privileges based on our actions here, had not registered (Luke 19:11–27). My outlook was, at the time, more like a Lordship salvation view. I plugged along in a state of free floating anxiety unsure as to whether Christ had really saved me (based on the obvious fact of my own sinfulness). How much of a sinner could one be and still be saved? How much Lordship was required? Salvation is free, but it will cost a person everything. How spiritual that sounded! How illogical and absurd! If it is free, it costs us nothing; if it costs us everything, it is not free!
So what happened to motivate me? Love happened to me! Some girls in a bowling league became dear to me, who turned out to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Seeking lost souls was not my reason for joining a bowling league. My goal was to show everyone that Joy was the best bowler in the western world, or at least in our town, but God grabbed hold of my heart. He infected me with this “crazy love,” and my life has never been the same. These girls went onto my list. Since then this list has expanded to include many other wonderful non-Christians. I diligently pray every day for these people. God has surprised me with what an adventure He would lead me into for the sake of the lovely folks on that list. They soon became my dear Jehovah’s Witnesses, my people.
Do you have a list? Make one. It really gives an attitude adjustment about what is ultimately important in life. The more we pray, the more we care. The more we care, the more we give. The more we give, the more we love. The more we love, the more we study. The more we study, the more we learn. The more we learn, the more opportunities to teach. The more we teach, the longer our list becomes. The more we give, love, pray, and study. Finally we might notice that our bowling skill has really taken a tumble and we note with surprise that we just do not care very much anymore. Surprise, surprise!
Love Is the Key
Hebrews 10:24 tells us to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Love, not fear, is the key to the transformed life. Salvation is free, but love might cost us everything. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and other cults accomplish much out of fear. The Christian way is to do it for love. Love gives us the courage to do things we never thought we would be able to do. Love opens the wallet, and finds the time. Love will give us a real concern for holiness that fear can only mimic, once we properly view our faults as impediments to our witness. We will love the unlovely, forgive the unforgivable—all for the sake of the loved ones on the list.
A film that had quite an effect on me recently was Schindler’s List. It was about the Holocaust and one man’s inner journey in reaction to it. It was the story of an ordinary man trying to live his ordinary “looking-out-for-number-one” life in an extraordinarily evil time and place. Oskar Schindler did not want to save Jews; he just wanted to get rich. As a by-product of his obsession with obtaining the good life, he incidentally saved Jews in Nazi Germany by putting them to work in his factory. The movie is about the change that came over Schindler, and how his heart expanded and he came to realize that his workers were more than just furniture in his life; they had value. These little girls and boys, old folks, men and women, were precious souls whose lives were being savagely destroyed by the evil menace of racial hatred.
He eventually was able to save the lives of over 1,100 people by purchasing them from the Nazis. What did he use to buy them? The money he had made in the factory, and the good life that went with it. Is this not ironic? He started out seeing people as nothing more than a means to acquire money and material goods, but ended up seeing that true wealth was in the people, and that the money was merely the means to buy their lives, life being infinitely more valuable than things. He made a list, and expended everything he had to buy his workers, and their safety, going completely broke. Yet, at the end of the movie, as he contemplated the number of lives he had saved, all he could think of was that he could have saved even more if he had only been a little less selfish still. He looked at his expensive car and he cried in anguish, “I could have gotten two more people for that … two more people … I did not do enough!” “No, no, you did so much,” was the reply.
That is the very transformation that can come to us as we let God shed His love abroad in our hearts. Do you want to hear some day that you have done so much? That is, to hear Christ say, Well done, good and faithful servant! Do you have a list? Is it worth it to you to spend your money, your talents, your time, and your prayers, to bring your people to a place of safety? What is a Mormon worth to you? Enough to take the time to meet with him? What would you give for a Jehovah’s Witness? Can you see any value in an agnostic?
Please Christian, do not waste your opportunity to take part in the only truly great venture this world has to offer. The choice is yours. Your eternal salvation is not at stake if you choose to live selfishly, but so much else is! Work for the reward that will never perish.
—End—
Notes
- Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version (Nashville: Nelson, 1982).
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