Lord’s Library compares the Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. works righteousness to showcase Christ’s Finished Work of salvation.
Works righteousness is the belief (sometimes spoken, often assumed) that one’s activities can earn favor with God. It can appear in subtle ways: in striving to be “good enough,” in relying on religious duty, or in comparing one’s moral record with others. Yet the Bible presents a different picture of righteousness and grace.
How do our works relate to faith, and what role do they play in our salvation? Examining these questions through Scripture helps us understand the difference between works that flow from faith and works that attempt to replace it.
This contrasts the true Gospel of grace with an imitation, revealing how only the Finished Work of Christ saves, and how every other message, no matter how appealing, ultimately leads away from the Cross.
The Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ vs. Works Righteousness
The Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ
The Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ holds a central place in Biblical theology, symbolizing the truth of the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins and the cornerstone of salvation by grace through faith. Throughout the New Testament, the significance of Christ’s Bloodshed is highlighted as the means by which believers are redeemed and ultimately cleansed and reconciled to God.
Through the Blood of Christ, one can see the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Christ died in the place of sinners, bearing the punishment that was rightfully ours. The efficacy of the Blood assures believers of their eternal security. Since salvation is not based on their own deeds but on the Finished Work of Christ, one can have confidence in their unchanging status before God.
Jesus Himself, during the Last Supper, refers to His blood as the Blood of the New Covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins. See Matthew 26:28: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Romans 5:9 affirms the role of the Blood in salvation: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Justification by Christ’s Blood signifies that believers are declared righteous before God, not by their righteousness but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. This justification ensures believers’ salvation from God’s wrath, highlighting the substitutionary nature of the death of Jesus.
In Ephesians 1:7, the Apostle Paul says: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” This verse again underlines the foundation that the forgiveness of sins is obtained not through religious works but through the grace of God, manifested in the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. Redemption is a gift, freely offered to those who believe, visualizing that it is Jesus’ Blood that seals redemption.
Colossians 1:14 declares it: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Verse 20 proceeds: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
These verses encapsulate the cosmic scope of Christ’s sacrifice—His Blood not only reconciles individual believers to God but is part of the larger supernatural plan to reconcile all creation, restoring the peace broken by sin.
Hebrews 9:14 then asks the question: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 10:19 answers and supports: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” This imagery draws on the Old Testament temple practices, where the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year with animal blood for atonement. Now, through Christ’s Blood, believers have direct access to God’s presence, highlighting the complete and final nature of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Works Righteousness
In Romans 3:23-24, Paul explains: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Every person has fallen short of God’s standard of perfection, and therefore, no one can achieve righteousness through even the most seemingly righteous of deeds. Justification—being declared righteous in God’s sight—is only possible through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for sin on the cross.
The doctrine of works righteousness sometimes stems from a misunderstanding of the role of the law. Paul clarifies in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
The law was given to reveal human sinfulness and our inability to meet God’s standards. See Galatians 3:24-25: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Here we can see how it is through faith in Christ’s finished Work on the Cross that one attains salvation, and not by adherence to the law of the Old Testament.
Works righteousness also stands in contrast to Abraham’s example. See Romans 4:2-3: “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Abraham was justified by faith, not by works. His belief in God’s promise, not his obedience or works, was the basis for his righteousness in the eyes of the Lord. Paul uses this example to show that faith, not works, has always been the way of salvation, even before the law was given.
Another important passage is found in Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This Gospel-centered verse from Titus Cements that salvation is entirely an act of God’s mercy, confirming that one is saved by the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, which God graciously bestows upon those who believe on His Son.
A frequent question arises about the relationship between faith and works surrounding James 2:17, which says: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” This Scripture does not contradict salvation by grace through faith but rather underscores that true faith results in good works. The works are not the basis for salvation but the evidence of genuine faith.
Paul explains further in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Good works flow from the transformed life of a believer as a result of salvation, not as a prerequisite to earning it via good deeds.
Ultimately, the meaning of works righteousness is contrary to the message of the Gospel. The Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross is the only basis for salvation. Jesus even declared it in John 19:30: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
At that moment, the debt for sin was paid in full by Christ, and no human works can add to that sacrifice. Those who trust in their own righteousness are relying on a foundation that cannot save. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Remember, even our “best” works are insufficient. See Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” This verse drives home the point that, apart from Christ, even the most virtuous acts are tainted by sin and inadequate before a holy God.
Christ is the fulfillment of the law. Matthew 5:17 says: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” By trusting in Christ, believers receive the benefits of His perfect obedience to the law.
Lord's Library is a Christian resource hub. Our editors use a variety of internet research methods like search engines, audio and video, AI, consultations with ministry leaders in the field, and more. Lord's Library should never be a substitute for reading your Bible daily as the Scriptures are to be our final authority on all matters. Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
