Question:
Preacher, you need to do the “works of Abraham,” as stated in John 8:39, to be saved. “Works” in this verse is plural so the author is referring to more than one work you must do. By the way, preacher, what are the “works of Abraham”?
Answer:
The verse in question is John 8:39, “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” To begin with, there is mention of salvation or hint of it in this verse! Secondly, Abraham’s children are the Jews! They are not Gentiles. Any Jew will tell you this! However, Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Christians are under grace not the law, this is so plain in so many places! I would point out to you about the work’s of Abraham… Romans 4:2 says, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Abraham’s faith, not his works (the work’s of Abraham) was counted to him for righteousness. In fact, Roman’s 4:4 says, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” If you attempt to do the “works of Abraham” for your salvation it will be counted as DEBT. You just can’t work your way to Heaven! You don’t have ANY good works! Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Do you really believe you are justified by keeping the law (and you know you don’t) I john 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Galatians 5:4 says, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. IF you are trying to be justified by the law (works of Abraham) then you are fallen from grace! There are much better verses for you to have used. Let’s look at Galatians 3:6-11, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7Know ye therefore that they which are of FAITH, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” The doctrine being given by you is not new! It’s given in the Book of Acts chapter 15. It is a classic court case dispelling the need for good works. Take time now to realize that you are not perfect, that you do sin, and that you need a saviour who died for all your sins, past, present, and future. Realize that you could never work (even the work’s of Abraham) to UNDO the sins you have committed… that only Jesus Christ can do that! That no matter how good you try to be, you CANNOT UNDO the things you have done by any good work. You need to realize that you need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, not work to be saved! I hope you change your mind so that I will see you in heaven. We will keep you in prayer, that’s what preachers are for.