Salvation Is Not A Do, It's Already Done

If salvation is by grace alone “through faith” (Eph 2:8), in our Lord Jesus alone (Rom 10:9), then why did Jesus answer the lawyer’s question by saying, “this do, and thou shalt live” (v. 28). We know that works don’t play a role in salvation. However, if we study the context of this passage, we can easily understand that the lawyer’s motive was based on trying to do something “to inherit eternal life.” He was also seeking to justify himself by keeping the law (v. 26), and thereby asking, “who is my neighbour?” (v. 29). After quoting the law (v. 27), Jesus told him the story about the good Samaritan (v. 30-36), to explain the meaning of the word “neighbour.”

His intention was to convict the lawyer of his inability to get saved on the ground of works (Titus 3:5)! Jesus taught the same lesson to the rich young ruler (Mt 19:16), who was also trying to seek salvation on the basis of his works. But he was not willing to keep the whole law by selling everything he has, and giving “to the poor” (Mt 19:21), because he has great possessions! Only our sinless Saviour, Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:22), was able to perfectly keep the entire law, because He “is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Rom 10:4).

Therefore, He is the only One qualified to be our perfect Substitute on the cross (Rom 3:25). Anyone who tries to get to Heaven by keeping “the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (Jms 2:10), and would “come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). What then was the purpose of the law? “It was added because of transgressions” (Gal 3:19). And it “was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ” (Gal 3:24). We are thankful that we can now be justified by faith and “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1)! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera