SALVATION BY WORKS- THE MARK OF EVERY CULT

By Edward O’Hara

A more subtle version of which is the doctrine of original sin. It is as foreign to Biblical theology as any cult’s doctrines are. Because like Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others, this religious ideology also promotes the unbiblical salvation by works understanding of the atonement. That in turn changes their perception of who God is. And who Jesus is. Which in all actuality joins them to a false god. 

So this is an understanding that leaves the deceived even worse off than when they knew nothing about God. Because in believing this, now Satan has been allowed to erect yet another wall of deception between them and God they need to get through if they are to be truly saved. A wall that is a form of godliness that denies it’s power. 

But, how does this happen? How can it be that people who claim the name of Jesus are deceived by the spirit of antichrist? It is because like their cult brethren they have been led astray from the very beginning of their experience with their cult religion. And they never came to a saving faith in the Jesus of the Bible. These are they who appear to fall away. But, as Paul said in 2Thes.2, they never knew or loved the truth. They always took pleasure in this unrighteousness. The unrighteousness that is not knowing Jesus. 

At the core of the Jehovah witness deception is a salvation by works construct that also denies Christ’s divinity and makes Jesus just another man. At the core of the Mormon deception is a similar salvation by works message that carries with it the twisted notion that all men will become Gods. And like these at the core of the Roman Catholic and protestant deception is a salvation by works message as well. Works done either by themselves and Jesus.  Or done only by Jesus. But, either way it is a salvation by works doctrine that these all have at their core. One that keeps those who have been deceived by them from ever having the faith of Christ which alone justifies. 

So I am sharing this message in the hope that all of this will change for anyone that has been caught in these cult traps. And that you will come to a saving faith in the Jesus of the Bible that is by grace through faith not of works. 

So many who share their false gospel with non believers begin by asking why a person believes God would allow them into His kingdom. Which on the surface seems a fair enough question. 

But, when answered by the chosen victim who usually answers with something like “Because I am a good person” or “Because I try to keep the commandments”, they are then led through an ungodly maze by a series of statements and questions whose answers force them to the conclusion that the reason God could not possibly allow them into His kingdom is because they are bad. So that they will believe that it is because they are not good enough that God could never allow them into His kingdom. 

After convincing them of this by asking things like “Have you ever lied or stolen” etc… To which they most always answer yes. These victims are then deceived to believe that because this proves they could never be good enough for God, they need someone to believe in who has been good enough for God in their place. 

One who has earned righteousness by perfectly keeping the law for them. Someone who if they will believe in him will then transfer enough of that righteousness to them so that they can be acceptable to God. Something that these false witnesses refer to as the “imputed righteousness of Christ”. A concept they come to by twisting scriptures to their own destruction. A concept never once taught anywhere in the Bible.

And it doesn’t matter whether these who are deceiving and being deceived realize this is what they are doing or not. It is because the message they are sharing makes works the means for salvation, in spite of what the Bible plainly says, that they remain captive to the devil. And makes captives of those who believe them. Because the truth is there in the Bible for all to see if they will just believe what is plainly written on it’s pages.  

Sadly it is because there is such a familiarity in this message of salvation by works when it is preached to the victim, they will readily accept it as truth. Which is why it is so easily digestible for them. Because works and flesh are so compatible that they just fall right into the salvation by works trap.  

But, Paul was abundantly clear in Gal.2:16 that men can only be justified “by the faith of Christ”. Never by His or anyone else’s works. “For” Paul says, “by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”. So no matter who we say has done them, no one can be justified by the works of the law. 

This is why these people who believe the message of salvation by works, no matter the form of godliness they may project, are still in need of being set free from it’s death grip, every bit as much as any Mormon, JW, Roman Catholic, or any other false religion. Because there is fundamentally no difference between believing we can be good enough for God on our own, or believing someone else’s goodness imputed to us makes us good enough for God to accept us into His kingdom. 

Because a belief in salvation by works, no matter who one says has done them, is what keeps them in death’s grip. And in need of deliverance every bit as much, and maybe even more so, than the person was before hearing and believing any of these false teachings. Because after believing one of these false gospels they will need deliverance from that way of thinking on top of deliverance from death as well. 

Salvation by works is the “filthy rags” Isaiah spoke to Israel about in Isaiah64. It is the “wretched man” that Paul spoke to Israel about in Rom.7. And it is the “anathema” Paul spoke of in Gal.1. 

Only when we receive the faith once delivered to the saints can we have the same righteousness of that Christ had. A righteousness that comes by believing in Jesus just as He believed the Father. A righteousness that is not earned by doing good works. And a righteousness that is not imputed from someone else’s account to ours. 

But, it is a righteousness we are reckoned by God to be because we express the same faith toward Jesus that He expressed toward the Father. A righteousness that is truly by faith without works. A faith that for righteousness says along with the man Jesus, “Nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done”. 

So don’t believe the false salvation by works gospels that have been preached by the cults for centuries. Or any other false religion. Confess Jesus as Lord and believe He was raised from the dead and you will be saved. Because it is with your heart that you believe in Jesus as He believed the Father unto righteousness. And it is with your mouth that you confess Jesus is Lord unto salvation. 

Pray with me if you are ready to reject the salvation by works doctrine that has kept you captive to death. Pray with me if you too want the righteousness unto eternal life that comes only by grace through faith without works that Jesus came to provide you with. 

Dear Jesus, thank you for joining with me in my death. So that I can join with you in eternal life. I confess you as my Lord. I believe that you have raised from the dead. Conquering death for me so that I can have eternal life life. Thank you for saving me. Help me to live for you now and always. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

If you prayed with me then welcome to God’s family. Now as you read the Bible believe what it plainly says. And ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you so that you will know Him and the truth that sets you free. 

See you there or in the air!

This message can also be heard at: Rumble