Christians don’t engage in good deeds hoping to earn eternal life. They do so because they possess eternal life as a gift from God based on faith in Christ. Jesus told us how He as final Judge will evaluate people when he returns. His test will be based on what they have done for Him as a result of their faith in Him. We read in Matthew CH 25 that when he returns in his glory, sits upon his glorious throne, He will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Jesus identified Himself with the “least of these” by saying whatever you did to serve them you did it to me. So while salvation is a gift, deeds of mercy follow, not to earn salvation, but to show that our faith in Christ is genuine.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
