Being saved seems to be a gift according to the bible. Gifts require no work from the receiving individual. (Eph 2:8-9)

So im saved by trusting in Christ death burial ressurection . And he gives me eternal life (heaven). (1 corintians 15:3)

Bible also says im sealed i will never go to hell. Because this is a promise from Christ. (Eph 1:13) (john 10:28-29)

So i guess my question is why are some people trusting in their works, like baptist, going to church, reading bible , helping 1000 old ladys cross the street. Ect. Maybe its pride? Some people just have to put 1 nail in the wall to say they built the house. (Galatians 2:16)

Also in book of james when it talks about faith without works is dead. That just means dead faith. Like your faith isnt helping about else to christ. It doesnt say the man is dead because he has no works.


-please respond your thoughts thanks.

My understanding would come down to that people are not performing works to be saved, they perform works because they are saved. To live life like christ means you probably tend to help people, but most don't do it hoping to earn "points" or because they feel they have to do so in order to be saved. Selfless giving and kindness to others is not about pride it's just about being a reflection of God and an example to others. The Gospel says we are to spread the name of Jesus and the best way to do that is by example not by preaching. If you can glorify God with your works, that's a good way to help others find God. I don't think people go to church because they are "Trusting in their works"? I go to church for community and to bond with other believers. I read the bible to seek to understand and build a personal relationship with Jesus, who is the Word. I help others because it's the right thing to do and it creates an opportunity to talk about God. But nowhere in my mind am I doing works to earn salvation. Jesus says If you love me, keep my commandments. The new covenant is the law written on our hearts. Love one another is the sum of the commandments, so to be loving to others is to show love to Jesus. On the same token I try to temper my works with faith, and try to not participate in any activities or works that do not glorify God. It's a demonstration of my belief but I am not saved by my works or by following any rules or laws. I behave because of my faith, and to show respect for the gift of Life I've been given.

God is good.

This is interesting question and gives difference answers depending on which religion you are asking from. All the religions believing in Jesus Christ as a God doesn't think/behace in the same way. Yet most of them doesn't think that works gives salvation. Huge exceptions are Jehova's Witnesses where you are either saved or doomed based on how much work you did on your lifetime.

Giving my two cents about it as an Evangelican Lutheran. I/we think that salvation comes from faith only. The works we do are just part of being a hand of God to others. We are all an image of the God and we are here together as a humans not categorizing different religions as it doesn't matter. No good comes from hatred and judgement. Tbh we are not capable to make right/correct judgement (even if we think we are) and we should leave that to the God.

So i guess my question is why are some people trusting in their works, like baptist, going to church, reading bible , helping 1000 old ladys cross the street. Ect. Maybe its pride?


I've lived a little and personally its for selfish reasons. Its a great feeling to truly help another soul.


In Scripture, faith is defined as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, faith involves trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove. Faith is inseparable from trust; it’s the confidence that God can and will do what He says in His Word. Faith includes both intellectual assent to something and trust in it. So we believe something to be true, and we also place our trust in it—we rely on it. Faith recognizes that a chair is designed to support the person who sits on it, and trust demonstrates the faith by actually sitting in the chair.

Romans 4:5. This guy has no works yet he is justified by faith.

But you can also show your faith by your works. Because we cant see the heart. (James 2:16)

Acts 16:30 says what we must do to be saved. Answer is trust faith believe.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says its a gift and not of works.


-thanks for your thoughts

romains 10 9-10

If you want to read more into the theology concerning salvation, I would suggest: https://books.apple.com/us/book/tulip/id445844458

Faith produces works. What you believe determines how you behave. If you believe what the Bible tells us, you will usually act according to its teachings. If you have faith in Jesus, you will behave like Jesus. Faith and works are not separate but one precedes the other. Thus, if you have a dead faith, you will have dead works.

Romans 4:5 disproves that faith produces works

False. It is a verse stating that works do not produce salvation, which is what Romans 4 is about as a whole. You are confusing that with faith producing works, they are not the same dynamic.