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In an effort to clarify the relationship of faith, works, and salvation, some have tried to address the issue using word formulas. The following formulas have been proposed...to resolve this question:
Faith + Works =/= Eternal Life
Faith = Eternal Life + Life

These word formulas, however, do not hold up against the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Saviour, when asked "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" responded: "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:16-17). This certainly indicates that keeping the commandments is a requirement for eternal life....Eternal life (salvation in God's kingdom) is not a product of a confession of faith only (Romans 13:10-12). Ultimate salvation is received following a life of obedience and good works (Matt. 19:17). Put in their proper perspective, the above formulas should read:
Christ's Atonement + True Faith = Eternal Life (See John 3:16-21; Eph. 2:8; Alma 11:40)
True Faith = Belief + Obedience + Works (See Hebrews 5:9; James 2:17-26; 1 John 2:3)

As the above illistrates, the atonment of Jesus Christ does become effective in our lives based on our faith, but that faith must be genuine. Genuine faith is always accompanied by obedience and good works. If we remain faithful to the end, enduring in righteousness, we will receive eternal life as a gift from God (Romans 6:23). Our righteousness will not earn it, but our best efforts to live Christ-like lives will lead, little-by-little, to Christ-like spiritual rebirth (1 John 2:29; 3:24; 5:4), justification (Romans 2:13; James 2:24), sanctification (2 Thes. 2:13; 1 John 3:7, 10).

John taught: "if we walk in the light, as he [God] is in the light...the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7), and "every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29; 3:24). John also taught "he doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [God] is righteous." (1 John 3:7). We become righteous not because our works make us so, but because God sanctifies us through his Spirit based on our faith and efforts to obey him. It is for this reason that the apostles exhorted the saints to remain faithful and show forth the "righteousness of faith" (Romans 4:13). Faith produces righteousness which is manifest in good works. Our faith with our works justifies us (Romans 2:13; James 2:24) and enables us to please God (Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 3:22) and be blessed.

The scriptures bear record that our ultimate reward (exaltation and eternal life) will be granted by the Lord according to our works, which are the visible token of our faith (Ex. 20:6; Ps. 62:12; Eccl. 12:14; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12; Alma 41:3). Those who believe that Christians will some how escape the judgement are in error. The scriptures are clear that every one, whether righteous or wicked, whether quick (alve) or dead will appear before the judgement seat of Christ (Ps. 50:4; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 16:27; Acts 17:31; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 2:23; 20:12-13; 22:12; see also Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Moroni 10:34). All will give an accounting. 1 Peter 4:17-18 states that judgement will begin with the "house of God" (i.e. the Church); Peter then adds, "if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" Those who have produced no fruit and have not obeyed God will be rejected, while those who brought forth fruit by doing the will of God will, through sanctification and rebirth, receive eternal life (Matt. 7:17-23).

If good works come automatically by the acceptance of Christ, why did Christ, Paul, and the other apostles exhort us first to good works (Matt. 5:6; 7:21-27; 19:16-17; JOhn 7:17; 8:31-32; Acts 10:35; 1 Tim. 6:18-19; 1 John 1:7; 2:17)? Why didn't they just preach faith and confession of Jesus Christ? Yet we read of the necessity of overcoming, enduring, and working out our salvation (Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13, Phil. 2:12; 1 Tim. 4:16; Rev. 2:7, 11; 3:5, 12, 21). Why the contradiction? The goal therefore reached at the end of the road--not at the beginning (see Acts 2:4; 11:13-14; 15:11; Rom. 5:9-10).

This. And if works were necessary then you'd have to ask for forgiveness while you're still able to do works. If you can have people Saved on their deathbed, works aren't necessary to go to Heaven. Plus if you place too much emphasis on works, it becomes legalism (kinda like the Pharisees), and that's not what Jesus wanted.

So say some one like Hitler can do the horrible things that he did, can ask for forgiveness right on his death bed and go straight to heaven? So a life time full of sin, except for 10 seconds of asking for forgiveness = that a individual can be forgiven of that life time full of sin? How does that equate?

So, you believe that people who have fallen away are still saved? Um..what about those who fall away but want nothing to do with the Lord any more, they are still saved and forced to go to Heaven even though they don't want any thing to do with it, that's not very fair.


@Eternally- Works = Asking for forgiveness, praying, repentance, having faith, calling upon the name of the Lord, believing in Him, accepting His atonement, etc.

Works don't earn your way to Heaven, correct, but they do however show your devotion for the Lord. It's just like James said in the Bible, Faith without works is dead. You simply cannot say you have faith, but do nothing to show it.

I was curious, do you members of the guild think that salvation is instant or some thing that needs to be constantly worked towards.

The Final Judgment
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [6] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

ESV