Lord’s Library compares the Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. justification by works to showcase Christ’s Finished Work of salvation.
The question of justification—how a person is made right with God—lies at the heart of the Christian message. Some have taught that justification depends on a combination of faith and good deeds, suggesting that human effort must complete what faith begins. This perspective raises vital questions:
- What does it mean to be justified?
- Is it something we achieve or something we receive?
Turning to Scripture allows us to see how God’s plan of salvation reveals the relationship between grace, faith, and obedience, and why the distinction matters so deeply.
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 Gospel of Jesus Christ vs. Justification by Works
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus as the Messiah, Savior, and Son of God. It encompasses His life, teachings, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, offering the promise of forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and reconciliation with God to all who believe. See the following key Bible verses, which paint a vivid picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse is perhaps the most well-known passage in the Bible, succinctly summarizing the essence of the Gospel. It showcases God’s love, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the condition of faith leading to eternal life.
- Mark 1:14-15: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Christ begins His ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling for repentance and faith in the Gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the core elements of the Gospel: Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection, all in accordance with the Scriptures.
- Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Here, Paul underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and its universal applicability, offering salvation to all who believe.
- Acts 4:12: “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 emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the necessity of faith in His name for eternal life.
Justification by Works
Justification by works is the belief that one can achieve righteousness before God through their own “religious works.” Religious works can mean also “good deeds” or adherence to ‘the law” – which refers to the Law of Moses. Scripture is clear that human works, no matter how “righteous they may seem”, are insufficient to justify one before God the Father. What the Bible teaches is that salvation is by grace through faith, in the finished work of Jesus Christ, and not by works, so that no one can boast, as it is written.
The Apostle Paul addresses this directly in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” These Gospel-centered Scriptures from Ephesians make it clear that salvation is purely a gift from God. Grace, by definition, is an unmerited favor. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it as “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.”
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 justification through even the most seemingly righteous of deeds. Justification—being declared justification in God’s sight—is only possible through the blood atonement of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for sin on the cross.
The doctrine of justification by works 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.
Justification by works 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 justification 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.
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.
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