Jehovah's Witnesses and Christians, what is your description of "works" in relationship with your salvation?

Question

Define "works" what does it consist of? Is it working for your church or Kingdom Hall or it's organization? Give some examples, please.

Answer 1

When I was a Jehovah's Witness, we used to describe going from door to door as going out to do 'The Work', the work of the great commission of Matthew 24:14. This was a voluntary work, done out of love for our fellow human and from a desire to share the good news of God's Kingdom. All highly commendable. However, we had to record the number of hours spent doing this, the number of home studies conducted and how much literature we sold (yes, we sold it back then), and our 'service record card' was checked to ensure we were keeping up with expectations. If not, questions would be asked.



As Jehovah's Witnesses have said, they do not believe that their salvation is dependent on 'works' but that 'works' will be a visible byproduct of being saved - actions that demonstrate faith. This is also the Christian position. Both U.K. Baptists and Methodists are active in doing 'works' such as sharing the gospel with others, reaching out in the community to help the poor, the sick, the elderly, engaging in overseas missionary work and providing financial support to those who dedicate their lives full-time to serving God. Indeed, the local Methodist church is so busy it makes my head spin! But these 'good works' are simply the manifestation of a changed life. In and of themselves, 'works' can do nothing to save anybody because salvation is all of God and we can not add to it.



The question of faith alone or faith plus works is made difficult by some hard-to-reconcile Bible passages. Compare Romans 3:28; 5:1 and Galatians 3:24 with James 2:24. Some see a difference between Paul (salvation is by faith alone) and James (salvation is by faith plus works). Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasising the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in their life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in their life, then they likely do not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).



Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23). Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). James and Paul do not disagree in their teaching regarding salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasised that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that genuine faith in Christ produces good works. Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/faith-alone.html



Faith, by the way, is not a 'work' because it is a gift from God - http://www.gotquestions.org/faith-work.html



P.S. According to Collins 1979 dictionary, 'Christendom' is the collective body of Christians throughout the world or throughout history and is an obsolete word for Christianity. It has been my observation that Jehovah's Witnesses use 'Christendom' as a derogatory description of all Christian denominations except their own. 'Christendom', they say, is false religion, Babylon the Great, the Harlot of Revelation who is to be destroyed. Jehovah's Witnesses do not concede that 'Christendom' has "the truth", because they are God's sole channel of communication (since 1919). I don't think Jehovah's Witnesses would like to be described as being part of 'Christendom'.

Answer 2

Please read Matthew 5:14-16 Mark 13:10 Eph. 5:8, 9 Titus 2:1-14.These scriptures speak about the works. The works that Jesus did show us and what we have to do to gain salvation. He is our model and we are to follow his footsteps closely. After all we are Christians, Christ like. Matthew 24:19,20 shows precisely what some of those works are. True Christians are to follow this command. How many Christians do you see obeying this vital work?

We are to preach and teach the good news, before God whose name is Jehovah,takes action against wickedness ( Matthew 24:14)

Jesus went from house to house from door to door He also talked to people he met everywhere. he taught people from all nations. He stressed the Kingdom, his Fathers Kingdom, the real government ruled by him . The one which will crush all other governments ( Daniel 2L44 ).

Other works we have to do are to love our neighbors ( all people of the world no matter what race, creed, status,nationality ) Jehovah is not partial is He? read Acts 10:34.35. Works are also being kind, merciful ,helpful,giving to anyone who is in need. Not just by word but by deeds.We are to love our brother hood and we are to be in unity. Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world fit this criteria. No matter which Kingdom Hall you visit, no matter where in the world you will find total unity and love there. Unity in teachings unity in preaching because we go by Gods world the bible. Those are works too. Remember we are doing all this work voluntairy. and we give voluntairy of our time and resources. We also do not war against any one, we are free from blood guilt.

In your question you ask if we do work for our Kingdom Hall. Well, we are actually working for Jehovah our God and Jesus Christ His son. God is using us to tell people that they need to put themselves on Gods side and do the works commanded. Jesus for example loved people and we do too.

Why don't you just simply go visit our Kingdom Hall. You have one in your neighborhood. Observe, ask questions,study the bible, you have no obligation there and you can see for yourself what we believe and why. I really think you will get a lot out of it. Take care

Answer 3

I noticed @Jimspace infers Monolatry is what the Jehovah Witness's believe in..... how odd . This from Wikipedia: " Monolatrism or monolatry (Greek: μόνος (monos) = single, and λατρεία (latreia) = worship) IS THE RECOGNITION OF THE EXISTENCE OF MANY GODS,(caps mine) but with the consistent worship of only one deity. Monolatry is distinguished from monotheism, which acknowledges the existence of only one god..." .....I think the definition of monoltry would be applied to the LDS....yes? I do agree with Jimspace, that if the "trinitarians " are assuming in their beliefs that Jesus is incarnate Deity, it would be misplaced worship, thus his view it is idolatry or as @Rick G says, bad theology. However, I get the point of this question ....Worship to Jesus instead of Jehovah, by JW standards, should be condemned by Jehovah, yes? Here is a thought. Assuming Jesus, Gods Son, is just a human, and assuming Trinitarians have a bit of misplaced theology of who Jesus is, is that presumption enough to be condemned by Jehovah ? Is it an insult worthy of being rejected from Paradise? Conversely, If Jesus was really God and he is demeaned to less than such, .is that a problem for the JW ? I dont see a clarified answer from the Jehovah Witness on this, only assumptions that everyone else but them is automatically part of Babylon the Great. This begs the question: what labels "other christians " to be "Christendom of Babylon the Great, if they too are out doing the will of Jehovah in the same manner as those in the world wide organization of ....Jehovah Witness's ? Are the Jehovah witness's so sinless (no disobedience) they are exempt from being condemned ? hmmmm To answer your question, I would have to say "yes", It appears their views would support the Trinitarian Jesus is a false God , and thus ......they would have to be rejected of Jehovah at Armegeddon, or where ever they think judgement is. (headache now) /dm/

Answer 4

We do not believe that our salvation is based on works, but works are actions that demonstrate your faith.

Demonstrations of faith by action would include a number of things.

Jesus tells us not to hide our light under a bushel but to let it shine, so our faith would be evident to those around us & this would mean sharing that faith at every opportunity.

Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for actively preaching the good news of God's Kingdom. In view of the fact that we firmly believe that peoples lives depend on it, our actions in showing love to our neighbours by alerting them to the times we live in, is a demonstration of our faith.



Is it working for us?

Yes, it certainly is. Many people are now coming to an accurate knowledge of Jehovah & his purpose for mankind & for the earth. Many lives are being saved each day.



Thank you for asking the question respectfully (although there was no need to differentiate between Jehovah's Witnesses & Christians because we ARE Christians)

Maybe a better way of putting it would be...

"Jehovah's Witnesses and members of Christendom..." unless you object to being called a member of Christendom (which is a generally accepted term)

Answer 5

To me "works" means doing anything that helps someone else from the goodness of your heart for the glorification of God, whether that be a person, church organization, business etc...maybe helping an elderly person with their house work, helping a family financially thru hard times, cutting the grass at the church. Also you don't get salvation from doing good works, that comes from acknowledging Jesus as your personal savior and accepting him.

Answer 6

That is evident in their standards and Evangelizing.



Acts 20:20 while I did not hold back from telling YOU any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching YOU publicly and from house to house.



James 1:22 However, become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning.



Verse 25 But he who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in [it], this [man], because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing [it].

Answer 7

Our salvation is NOT dependent on "works", however if we are in a saved state "works" will be a visible bi-product.



Works would consist of any outword manifestation showing that were living in harmony w/ God's standards set forth in his Word the Bible, and declared to us by his Son Jesus Christ, i.e. displaying love, declaring God's Kingdom as the only hope for mankind, displaying the Fruits of the Spirit . . .ect.



(James 2:14-26) “. . .Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it? 17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself. 18 Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive? 21 Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 You behold that [his] faith worked along with his works and by [his] works [his] faith was perfected, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.” 24 YOU see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. 25 In the same manner was not also Ra′hab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26 Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. . .”

Answer 8

Ephesians 2: 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.



Many people get this one wrong and only half right. The Jehovah's Witnesses are starting to come around a little bit on this but are still wrong. It's such a simple thing but in ways is very complex. First one must be saved and this is an action buy acceptance. Salvation is a gift, grace. You either except it or you do not. If you chose to accept it, then you except it wholly and with full confidence and faith that it is truth. At this point you are saved. Ephesians 2: as you have listed is correct. You can not get salvation by works. As for James 2: 24, 26 ; we are still under Grace however, look at it like this. You are saved and as a result of you being truly saved, no one can go around being saved and not run into a situation that tests that faith. Look at the example in James Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.



What he is saying here is that, sure you are saved but when it comes down to it you actions say otherwise. In other words, if you are truly saved, you have become a new person. Your actions will justify your faith. You are saved without works, your works do just that, they justify your faith. These are the good works that are from Ephesians 2:10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. These works are our deeds our actions that demonstrate our faith. If our actions are in conflict with our faith, then do we really have faith and therefore are we really saved in the first place.



Once we are saved, our hearts are changed and we forgive, we help, we do works that are in us from the beginning. This does not mean that we go out preaching door to door and boast about it, those works Jesus will say "I do not know you". If the Preaching work comes from the heart and is not defined as you must go out there or you need to get your hours in, then it is works or actions that align with salvation.



The works that are from God are from the heart, done with love, out of love of our brothers. This is the law that was written in our hearts, Love. If you love one another, it takes care of all the laws of God, does it not?



So in a nutshell, salvation is a gift by acceptance and having faith in that gift. This will in turn change you into a new person, a change of heart, if you will. And as a result of this change you will begin to act in a new way and this way is the works of God that he created in us. We will demonstrate this by our actions and our deeds (works). These come from the heart.



As you can see that there are some Jehovah's Witnesses that love to boast about their preaching work and then call it works! Isn't that something!

Answer 9

Works means to actually practice what you preach. It means to learn from your mistakes and not judge others.