The Role of Deeds in Salvation: Fruit, Rewards, and Glorifying God

Three Ways Our Deeds Relate to Our Salvation

As Christians, we know that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, there is often confusion about the role of our deeds in relation to our salvation. Some believe that our works have no bearing on our salvation, while others believe that our works are necessary for our salvation.

The truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes. The Bible teaches that our deeds have a role to play in our salvation, but it is not the role that some might think. In this article, we will explore three ways in which our deeds relate to our salvation.

1. Our Works Are the Fruit of Our Salvation

One way in which our deeds relate to our salvation is that they are the fruit of our salvation. In other words, our good works are the evidence that we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James is not saying that our works are necessary for our salvation, but rather that our works are the fruit of our salvation. If we have truly been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, then our lives will be characterized by good works.

Jesus himself said, "By their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:20). Our good works are the evidence that we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Our Works Are Rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ

Another way in which our deeds relate to our salvation is that they are rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. While our salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, our good works are not in vain.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, "Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."

At the judgment seat of Christ, our works will be judged and rewarded. Our good works will be like gold, silver, and precious stones that survive the fire, and we will be rewarded for them. Our bad works will be like wood, hay, and straw that are burned up in the fire, and we will suffer loss.

While our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ, our good works are not in vain. They will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ.

3. Our Works Are the Means by Which We Glorify God

Finally, our deeds relate to our salvation in that they are the means by which we glorify God. As Christians, our ultimate goal is to glorify God in all that we do.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Our good works are one way in which we glorify God. When we do good works, we are reflecting the character of God and pointing others to him.

Jesus himself said, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Our good works are the means by which we glorify God and point others to him. While our salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, our good works are an essential part of our Christian witness.

Conclusion

Our deeds relate to our salvation in a variety of ways. Our good works are the fruit of our salvation, the means by which we glorify God, and they will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. While our salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, our good works are an essential part of our Christian witness.

As Christians, let us strive to do good works, not to earn our salvation, but to reflect the character of God and point others to him. Let us remember that our good works are not in vain, but will be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. And let us always give glory to God in all that we do.

References

• Ephesians 2:8-9


• James 2:14-17


• Matthew 7:20


• 1 Corinthians 3:12-15


• 1 Corinthians 10:31


• Matthew 5:16