Will anyone on these boards that believes they are saved by their works, that is, by obeying God please say so and explain this process? I am not addressing those who think they should obey because they are saved, not in order to be saved. It seems many on these boards must believe such, since the topic is brought up so often. I await you testimony.
Saved by works is a misnomer.
We are saved by obedience to the truth because it is through YIELDING WHOLEHEARTEDLY to the grace of God that our hearts are transformed into a pure state.
The dynamic of salvation is "saved by grace THROUGH faith." There is nothing passive about the process. It is a process we have to partake in.
Noah took part in building the ark by trusting and then obeying the instructions of God. Likewise we partake in the building of our vessels by trusting and obeying the grace of God. The grace of God teaches us...
Tit 2:11 For
the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
We MUST do that in order to be saved. We have to deny ungodinless and worldly lusts, we must live soberly, righteousness, and godly NOW.
Look at the words of Jesus...
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed "ARE." That is how we must be. We have to be pure in heart in order to see God.
It is faith that purifies the heart because faith is simply the forsaking our own way and yielding ourselves to God's way. Thus the power of God then works in us unrestricted (we are receiving it). This is why Jesus preached repentance. Without repentance one cannot cooperate with God whereby grace is made effectual to the saving of the soul.
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Grace is received in vain if there is no working together. Remember we are saved by grace THROUGH faith.
Grace is received for obedience.
Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
It is through obedience that grace transforms us. No obedience = no transformation. That is why Paul would say...
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of
obedience unto righteousness?
Obedience unto righteousness.
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but
ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
If there is no obedience from the heart then there is no freedom from sin and therefore no serving righteousness.
Satan knows that and that is why his ministers attack obedience as being a condition of salvation. Satan wants people to believe that one is saved apart from obedience and that obedience is something that comes later. Thus people can be induced into a "partial obedience" with the idea that somehow God is going to change them in the future where their obedience becomes more full. It is very deceptive stuff and many believe it.