The Biblical concept of "works"

Most of the time when someone defines "works" they define it as what a person "does" under the classifications of "good" or "bad" as external activities defined by keeping or violating Biblical precepts.

However, both Christ and Paul inform us that the Law is spiritual and violation or obedience to biblical precepts begins with the internal activities of the heart. The intent and decisions of the heart is where works whether "good" or "bad" originate with man, and are simply made externally manifest by words and actions.

Jesus and Paul defined "works" within a moral framework. For example, Jesus said,

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

First, Christ identifies the origin of evil works to be "out of the heart." Second, everything listed by Christ above has the moral law as its point of reference. Even "covenant" violation would be listed as lying as violation of the moral law is at the root of covenant violations.

The bible says that if something is "of works" it is not of grace and if of grace it is not of works. The intents and choices (decisions) of the heart is the source of all works and is "of works." Often we hear evangelists call for "decisions" for Christ as though the act of the will is not "of works" when it actually is "of works" and therefore not "of grace" and we are saved "by grace...not of works."

Hence, in order for a "decision" to be not "of works" it must be the state/condition of the "new" heart given by God - thus a believing heart is the gift of God.

This must be the case (Ezek. 36:26-27) as we come into this world in a state of unbelief (Jn. 3:18) and thus with a heart of unbeleif. Our works are evil because our heart is evil or as Jesus described it "being evil" (Mt. 12:31-35). An evil heart can only bring forth evil deeds and that is why we need a new heart. God will not give to us an evil unbelieving heart, but a righteous believing heart and it is with that heart profession is made unto salvation. We first must be "created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works" as no "good" works (decisions) can originate from an evil heart.

So the whole issue of salvation is about how you define "works" and about the kind of "heart" you have. How does one received a "new" heart? They receive it through the preaching of the gospel when God empowers the gospel as his creative word which produces a new heart. We know who has receive a new heart because they respond by repentance and faith in the gospel when called upon to repent and believe the gospel. Whereas the old heart is incapable of believing in the gospel or doing any other "good" works from the heart.

 

Mt. 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34 O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Jesus denies that man can be both good and bad and he calls on them to decide which is their case - good or evil when he says "Either make the tree good.....or else make the tree corrupt" but you cannot have it both ways.

DEFINITIONS:

1. "the tree" = the heart - vv. 34-35
2. "fruit" = "good" or "bad" manifestations of the heart - "the mouth speaks" "brings forth evil things" = works
3. "being evil" = the moral condition of the heart or nature of the tree
4. "treasure of the heart" the inherent moral source of the heart.

An "evil tree (heart)" cannot bring forth "good" because it has no internal "good treasure" or inherent source of good to draw from. The "treasure" is the origin of all works produced by that heart. If the "treasure" is evil than the "works" are evil. Jesus did not say "doing evil" but "being evil" showing that they were sinners by choice BECAUSE they were first sinners by nature.

This is why God must first give a "new" heart in order for there to be an inherent source of good treasure that can come forth from the heart. God gives this new heart through the preaching of the gospel whenever he empowers the gospel to become His creative word producing a holy and righteous heart manifest in its obedience to the gospel through faith in the gospel.

Thus, salvation is wholly "of grace" and not "of works" (decisions of an evil heart).