All the religions in the world teach you how to work for salvation. They all have different work. They all have different salvation. But it’s all up to you.
The Bible teaches you can’t ever work enough to meet the righteous requirements of God. You can’t ever match up to his holy standards. You cannot ever achieve God’s approval.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the creator of the universe, the all-powerful El Shaddai, the sovereign almighty God. He already came to Earth as a human being, and lived a perfect sin-free life according to the ten commandment law. He offered himself as the ultimate lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. His sacrifice on the cross for your sins paid the infinite price required to justify you.
When you accept the free gift of his salvation, he washes away your sin, makes you perfect in his eyes, and gives you an eternal life. Now, you can work out your salvation…
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 WEB)
The Apostle Paul goes on to tell us some of how we can work out our own salvation…
Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain. Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:14-18 WEB)
This reminds us of Jesus’ words on the Mount…
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. (Matthew 5:13 WEB)
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 WEB)
The secret is to let God work through you…
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17 WEB)
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 WEB)
If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 WEB)
For deeper study:
- Romans 12:1-2 From conformed to transformed by presenting yourself to God
- Walking worthily — lead a life worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
- Ministry of restoration (restoring a right relationship with God)
- The Biblical Algorithm for Total Righteousness
- More impossible ways to lose your salvation