NO LONGER CONDEMNED

Answer:

            Just because salvation is God’s gift does not mean that man needs to do nothing but to accept it. In the same way, Christ’s pronouncement that “whoever believes in Him … [will] have everlasting life” should not be taken to mean that membership in His true Church is no longer necessary for man’s salvation.

            It is true that there are works by which man is not saved. Among these is what Apostle Paul describes as the “works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves” (Titus 3:5,3, American Standard Version), for God did not purpose that man be saved on the merits of his own works, “that no flesh may boast in His presence” (I Cor. 1:29). This does not mean, however, that man does not need to do anything anymore. Verse 10 of Ephesians chapter 2 (proceeding from verse 8 and 9 which you cited) elucidates that when God created man, He intended him not only to be “in Christ Jesus” but also “for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (New King James Version).

            Indeed, those who are “in Christ Jesus” are no longer condemned or will “not perish but have everlasting life.” But in order to be among those who truly are in Christ Jesus, it is not enough for one to merely profess belief or faith in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ says to those who say they believe in Him, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’, but not do what I command?” (Luke 6:46, New American Bible). Apostle James likewise taught:

            “What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? …You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” (James 2:14, 24, New International Version)

            Clearly, believing or having faith in Christ entails much more than just merely declaring that one accepts Christ as his personal Savior. To become a true believer of Christ, one must be among His sheep: “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep ...” (John 10:26, NKJV). Thus, Christ calls on everyone who wants to be saved to enter the fold or flock, which is the Church of Christ-which He redeemed or purchased with His blood (John 10:9, Revised English Bible; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). These are the ones referred to as people “who are in Christ Jesus.”

              Membership in the true Church of Christ, not just any church, is thus indispensable for receiving God’s gift of salvation. It is this Church to which God adds those who are to be saved (Acts 2:47). It is this Church for which the Savior Jesus Christ gave up His life and that He will save (Eph. 5:23, 25).