Are we saved by Grace or works?
It is not uncommon for Latter-day Saints, or others who believe likewise, to be told they are not Christian, by Protestants, because of our strict observance of ordinances and gospel laws. Latter-day Saints in turn say that Protestants believe they can murder, steal, commit adultery, and still go to Heaven if they confess Jesus is the Christ. I will attempt to clear these issues up now.
Protestantism generally teaches that a man must confess Jesus is the Christ and he will be saved. For after all, doesn't John 3:16 say, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life"? Of a surety, there is nothing incorrect about this scripture. There is no greater truth than we can have everlasting life by believing in Jesus Christ. In turn, a person who has faith in Christ will keep his commandments. "He that believe on me, the works that I do shall he do also." (John 14:12) In all of this, Protestants and Latter-day Saints do not differ in the least degree.
On a whole, Protestants teach that it is by grace alone we are saved. Latter-day Saints too know that it is the grace of God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ that saves us. Here is where the two groups begin to diverge. Latter-day Saints are accused of being unchristian for their emphases on good works. "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved ,
by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
" (3 Article of Faith of LDS) Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that salvation doesn't stop with just faith in Christ, but by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Due to the observance of such laws and ordinances, Protestants cry that we are overstepping the grace of God-that we are trying to save ourselves. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) They say, "There you have it! The Bible says that works aren't important. It's the grace of God, and faith in him alone that saves you."
Anyone who understands this scripture in that way, should read it again in context. It has specific reference to the Law of Moses. If the rest of the chapter would just be read and understood by the Holy Ghost, such things would be cleared up. The Law of Moses itself never saved any man. It is the faith in Christ that saved men. It was their obedience to the Lord that saved them, not the law. Who are we to say that baptism is not important if Christ declares it? Should we not do what he asks? Are we to not be obedient to him in all things?
I say unto you in the love of friendship, that the grace of God will have no effect upon the person who does not try his hardest to keep the commandments. Nothing you can do will save yourself. It is by the atonement of Christ that we are saved, but that grace has no effect on someone who will not try.
Read these scriptures. Consider it. Could you honestly say that what the Spirit has taught me, and I have taught you could possibly be wrong?
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." (St. Matthew 5:19)
"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21-27)
"For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (St. Matthew 12:37)
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (St. Matthew 24:13)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
" (St. Matthew 28:19-20)
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also" (St. John 14:12)
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." (St. John 15:10)
After Peter and the apostles convinced many Jews of their error in murder of Christ, the Jews cried out "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." (Acts 2:37-41)
"Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)
"I have fought a good fight?henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16)
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope to eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works?And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." (Titus 3:7-8, 14)
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." (Hebrews 10:26)
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)
"What doth it profit though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? ?Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works?the devils also believe and tremble? Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (See James 2: 14-26)
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected?He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked?If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:3-6, 29)
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."(Revelations 3:21)
It seems clear to me. He that is born of God will strive to keep the commandments. We must be born of God and keep his commandments to return to him. It is by the Grace of God that this is possible. I bear testimony to these things in the name of he who's grace it is, Jesus Christ, amen.
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