Some people have the misconception of what not saved by works means.
In the Old Testament,because they could not have the Spirit to save them,for their sins were not completely washed away,they could not live up to the law,for the flesh will come up short of fulfilling the law,which the Bible says the law is good,and spiritual.
The truth is the law is spiritual,but we are carnal sold under sin.
In the New Testament we can have the Spirit,which a Spirit led life will not sin.
Love is the fulfilling of the law,which the 10 commandments are laws of love.
If we are led of the Spirit,the Spirit will cause us to obey the 10 commandments,and since the law is spiritual,and by the Spirit we are spiritual,and love is the fulfilling of the law,we have to allow the Spirit to help us to heed the 10 commandments.
11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin(Roman 7:11-14).
31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law(Roman 3:31).
The law is not physical and bad,but the law is spiritual and good,therefore we have to obey the law because it is spiritual,but the flesh can never do that,but it is required by everyone to fulfill the law.
Everybody has to live up to the law,but in the Old Testament they could not do it,but in the New Testament we can live up to the law by our desire to allow the Spirit to lead us so we can obey the law that is spiritual.
The Bible says we establish the law,which love is the fulfilling of the law,and love is not arrogant,is not selfish,does not boast in iniquity,but rejoices in goodness,and does not think an evil thought.
The Bible says we are not saved by works,but it is a gift of God by Jesus Christ.
The Bible says we are saved by faith,but faith without works is dead,so we have to have works to have faith activated in our life.
These are on the other side of each other.Not saved by works is before Christ,works to have faith is being with Christ.
When the Bible says that we are not saved by works,it means that we are not saved by any works we do trying to get to heaven apart from Christ like false religions,or trying to get to heaven trying to live up to the law without confessing Christ and not having the Spirit.
When we come to Christ then we have to have works to have saving faith activated in our life,which are works of the Spirit,and the Bible says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Not saved by works means not being with Christ and not led of the Spirit,trying to get to heaven,not that we do not have to have works when we are with Christ.
