Jesus Café Ministries - Scripture Squad - Are we saved by works or faith?

The Scripture Squad responds...

From: Wondering
How can we explain to someone who is very new in the scriptures that we no longer live under the Law of the Old Testament and that God sent his son to save us from our sins? That what is necessary in saving of our soul and have eternal life? They question about the Sabbath and why most Churches worship on Sunday in stead of Saturday. Where was this changed?

It is exciting to see a new believer jump into the Word. It is extremely important to have new believers studying and seeing Scripture for themselves. We, in the Scripture Squad, think you can never stress enough how important it is for all believers to be in a serious Bible study.
First, we need to clear up a misconception that some Christians have about the Law. The Law was never given as a means of salvation. Obedience to the Law doesn't save, neither does disobedience cause loss of salvation. Salvation always has been by faith. Hebrews 11 explains this into great detail of all the Old Testament saints who were definitely saved by faith.

The Law, called Torah in Hebrew, was given to a people who had already been redeemed by faith, by placing the blood of the lamb on their door posts in that first Passover we read about in Exodus. It was their faith that saved them. As a result of their faith, they acted upon God's words and followed in obedience.

From Genesis to Revelation to the year 2001, there has only been one way to be saved, by faith. No amount of works is ever good enough to earn or keep one's salvation.

Our salvation is dependent on what God has done for us through the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus. It is not dependent on our works. We accept Him by faith, confess He is Lord and then we are in a saving relationship with God.

As a result of our salvation, we want to do good works. In fact, Paul goes out of his way to make this point:

Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (NAS)

This couldn't be more clear! We are saved by faith, and as a result of salvation we are a new creation, a new work in the Lord, called to serve Him.

Your question about the Sabbath is an interesting one. As believers we are grateful to God every day for our salvation. Of course no man can change the eternal Law of God. While the Sabbath hasn't changed, there is no prohibition anywhere in Scripture from worshipping Him every day for all He has done for us. In fact, how can we not be grateful every moment and be filled with thanks and praise! So whether your friend goes to church on Saturday or Sunday, it is important to gather together with other believers to build up one another and learn from the Bible.

Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (KJV)

So we hope you will encourage others to continue reading the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, and to find a good balanced church where they can learn and grow in God with service and love.

Thank you for your question.

- The Scripture Squad :
TCCaleb, WMomTCC & RuthCCC