“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8)
Any opposite of our opening verse brings the consequences of the second verse, to be accursed. Every religious organization that teaches that one must perform a work to gain salvation is considered a cult, an accursed sect. It matters not what that work, or action deemed necessary to perform is, partaking in the eucharist, saying specific words in a prescribed way, even baptism, any work done by an individual in hopes of gaining the favor of God towards salvation is a work that will be rejected.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
The cult of Buddha, of Islam, even of those who prescribe to keeping the Law, yes, even the Ten Commandments will avail you nothing.
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Gal. 3:6)
When we are justified, we are made righteous in the sight of the Almighty, we are hid in Christ, and are forever safe from the wrath of Him who sits on the throne of eternity.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
Many that you will speak to on this subject will immediately reference James 2:14, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” And by default must believe that the Lord changes, that the New Testament overrides, or has taken precedence over the way those before Christ suffered as the means to salvation. They attempt to prove that works are what is demanded by the Lord.
Was Abraham saved because he offered up Isaac? Is Noah in heaven because he obeyed and built the ark? Is John the Baptist in the presence of the Living God because he gave the message, or because he believed the message? Were the Apostles, save for Judas Iscariot who denied the truth, saved by grace through faith before the day of Pentecost, or after the tongues of fire fell on them?
Cornelius and all in his family were not allowed to be baptized until Peter knew for sure they had received the Holy Spirit, and they received Him by faith.
Every religious organization, every person that tells you that you must perform a deed, that you must do something before you can be justified, before you will be made the righteousness of God in Christ, before you can be born-again is accursed, and the wrath of God abides on them.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1st Peter 2:24)
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
Pride says, “I must do something,” humility in the knowledge of the Sovereign Lord of all creation recognizes that Jesus paid it all.
This is a very serious sin my friends, it will lead to eternal damnation, to believe in oneself that the price that the Lord Jesus Christ paid on the cross was not sufficient for the salvation of your soul, that an action or deed of dust must accompany that suffering, that the Living God will not accept the shed blood of His Son unless it is mingled with a work done by you. No one who believes such an atrocious lie will see the Kingdom of heaven.
Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9, it is grace through faith that saves a person, nothing we do will avail us anything towards our salvation, gifts cannot be earned, no work will be counted towards your favor.
Grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone.
