The legitimate and illegitimate "works" teachings in Calvinism.
There is a powerful teaching abounding in Christendom, that all of us are “predestined” to be in one destination
or another after death; often loosely termed “heaven or hell”. This is based on the teachings of various Groups
since the Reformation, which has an approx. date of 1530. Some purists state that the exact date is 1505 and
linked to England’s Henry 8th with some justification. The result of Henry’s resistance to Rome was the Church
of England (C of E). Leaving aside the internal political struggle in England, by those trying to restore The Roman
Church, many church leaders were not content that the C of E was sufficiently radical in its separation from
Roman Church's Doctrines.
As Rome had become increasingly corrupt, and had reached the stage of selling “pardons” before a sin had been
committed, and “postmortem absolution” for a price; and many other perversities, the re-examination of
“Doctrines” was logical. Martin Luther had already started the ball rolling by his declaration of “justification by
faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus”, and had put his life in danger with his affirmation at the Imperial Diet
of Worms. He was destined to be burned alive by the RCC, but for the intervention of a rich and powerful
German Prince.
The dissatisfaction of some of the leaders of the C of E with the state of its teachings and doctrines, led to a
Europe wide debate on particularly the Doctrine of Justification by Faith (in Christ). All Protestant thinkers
obviously accepted that Rome’s definition was/is corrupt, and from that beginning, many variations of doctrine
emerged. The notable effect of Rome’s dominance for approx. 1,200 years of the definition was/is the intensity
of its re-evaluation! The many definitions, and as many men, since to now is bewildering, and many have become
internationally known Names.
There is no doubt that the many Definitions cannot all be correct. However, the Definitions adopted by various
Groups have become the founding Articles for the various Denominations. Many, if not most have become
almost as powerfully defended as the corrupt RCC, with enflamed passions of their adherents evident in
discussion and history.
Before moving into a discussion on the definition of “works”, “election” and “Salvation”, it is worth
mentioning the writers view on the conduct of the participants of such debates. Where bad or threatening
language is used, or where personal innuendo or obviously bad attitude is displayed, together with deliberate
distortion of what has been said or written; then that person is disqualified from veracity, and has no
qualification to be heard or debated! In the writers view, they are clearly not indwelt with the Spirit of Christ,
but a counterfeit spirit of His Enemy! They have no place in honest debate!
It is true to say, that no Name on earth has such effect on people and Satan’s spirits, as the Name of Jesus!
(Christ Jesus is His correct Title after His Resurrection). His Name provokes some to repent, some to swear,
and others to wonder. That’s not surprising as He was/is the Anointed of God the Father for purpose, and is
now seated at the “Right Hand of The Majesty” in heaven!
Taking “Salvation” first; The Biblical definition is clear. Acts 4:12 states:
(KJV), “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved”. This verse in context refers to Acts 4:10-11. The name in point is, Christ Jesus!
As regards “Election”, to avoid repetition the following Links give clarity:
http://www.revelationsmessage.co.uk/The%20Call%20of%20God.htm
http://www.revelationsmessage.co.uk/The%20Elect%20Calvin%20onwards.htm
As regards “works”, Scripture is clear that all works of mankind as regarding their Salvation “are as filthy rags”
Isa. 64:6. That none are righteous, and that Christ Jesus has on the Cross of Calvary achieved what is the
impossibility for men!
One of the great myths, and therefore confusions used by false teachers such as extreme Calvinists, is that
of the definition of "works".
They say that any work by the individual to seek and find the Truth of Jesus the Christ, is works! What a
travesty of interpretation and intellect! They use Eph. 2:9 as their foundational Text, and construe it wrongly!
In context, the verse clearly states that the "work" refers to Christ's on the Calvary Cross, and that it cannot be
added to, or diminished. It is the ultimate "finished work"!
Why then do some religions say that “works” cannot achieve Salvation? The short answer is because they
either inadvertently or deliberately misinterpret Scripture, and confuse the “work” of seeking God/Christ, with
that of doing “good things”, which suits their “Theology”!
God has made it clear that He WANTS people to work towards Him, to work at Scripture, to work at prayer;
and to find Him in Christ Jesus. The following verses from Scripture make the point!
In Scripture, there are a number of texts that show that God has pleasure in those that seek after Him; Zeph.2:3,
Dan.10:12, Heb.11:6, Acts17:27, Jer.29:13, Rev.22:17, and more besides. These show that "working" towards knowing
God is pleasurable to Him, and not as some say and teach, that it is a "works based activity", which is not allowed
in their "rules"!
An incontrovertible point is made by Jesus Christ Himself when asked what the works of God are; "the works
of God are, that you believe in Him whom He has sent", (John 6:28-29)!
The "work" is done by Jesus, the "Offer" is made by the Father to the world's people, we decide with our "freewill"!
The conclusion of the matter is, as Martin Luther said, “Salvation is by faith in Christ Jesus”; which was the
cry of Habakkuk ("the just shall live by faith"), in approx. BC 500, during a time of apostasy in Israel's history. Then as now,
Satan has the Truth in denial, and as our Lord stated, "Satan is the prince of this world"; but only for a short time!
The major "signal" for Christ-Ones to watch for, are the events affecting Israel! With many of men's religions teaching that
"the church is the new Israel", (replacement theology), it is a "work" in itself to keep differentiating the Truth from
the constant lie in this context alone!
The many and complex formulae concocted by men between Luther and now, and incorporated into the many
"religions” of men, can be safely ignored where they do not concur with the Holy Spirit. The Christ-One, (Christian True)
can be at peace in the knowledge of the True definition of Salvation, from the Bible, the Word of God!