Based on Acts 14:1-7 (New King James Version)
“Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.”
There is much controversy surrounding the question of whether we are saved by works or by grace alone. Yet, when we look at the fullness of the Word, we can clearly understand that for a person to be saved, three things must take place: complete repentance and conversion from all their sins; accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and acting upon that faith; and doing the will of God the Father (performing good works). If these three things are not fulfilled in a person, salvation is not possible, and we will explain why this is the case.
Regarding repentance and conversion, John the Baptist’s entire ministry was dedicated to preparing the way for the Lord and centered on the baptism of repentance. It was instituted as a baptism—not because water itself is an essential requirement, but to clearly illustrate what must happen within a person's heart. Baptism was performed by immersion, meaning no part of the person remained dry; it was a total and complete act, and—importantly—a very public one, witnessed by all the people. Baptism symbolizes the burial of the old self and the rising of a new one. This prepared the way—and still prepares the way today—for the next step: faith in Christ.
When a person repents and undergoes conversion, they are prepared to accept a new Lord; for the truth is that, due to our sin, we are not born as children of God, because: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12. So, the stark reality is that if we did not belong to the Lord, then we belonged to another kingdom—the kingdom of the enemy. But when we repent and turn to Him, we are effectively rebelling against that other kingdom, and we need to turn to the kingdom of the Most High God; this can only happen by accepting and literally making the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord, because: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. And, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. So, this is what must be done by faith—without doubt or reservation—and lived out accordingly; and this leads us to the third point: the requirement to do the Father's will.
Are we saved by works? In itself, we cannot be saved by our works alone. That is to say, a person cannot be saved simply because they are good or because they do good deeds—and nothing else. As we have seen, both repentance and conversion from all sins, along with faith in Jesus as Lord, are necessary to attain salvation. But here is the clarification, as we can read in the Scriptures: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. The entire reason we are saved by faith through the Lord Jesus Christ is for good works. The whole reason we were rescued from our futile way of life is to return to the original purpose for which we were created: to serve God. We were not created—much less saved—to amuse ourselves, to live life however we please, or to do our own will; but rather, we were created—and are now saved through faith in Christ—to do the will of the Father. This is what the Word says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. Therefore, the person who nullifies His lordship in their life by seeking only to do and fulfill their own will—no matter how much they say "Lord, Lord"—will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is granted only to the person who honors the commitment made upon accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord. And this leads us to the following point: the direct connection to today’s passage.
What we read today teaches us about people who were concerned with doing the Father's will, regardless of the circumstances. Doing God's will can involve helping our neighbor in a practical way, as it is written: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” Matthew 25:34-36. But the greatest service we can offer our neighbor is to share the Gospel with them, to give them, at the very least, the opportunity to be saved. We are meant to be salt and light in the world, as the Lord commands. Because, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10:14-15. Our only opportunity to share the Gospel is now, during our temporary stay in this place, because in heaven, we will not need to evangelize anyone.
But ultimately, can a person share the Gospel if they have not yet grasped or understood the value of salvation? This is the issue when a professed believer feels no urge to share the Gospel; for if they do not feel that urge, it is because the reality of it has not yet taken hold in their life. And if they feel ashamed, it is even less likely. It is written: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16. All who preached the Gospel did so because they understood it and saw its value; they did not care about suffering anything—neither persecution nor death—sustained by the faith that God saw what they were doing. They understood this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. So, do you understand the part you need to play to honor the God who loved you enough to die for you? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!