How can man merit salvation?
Introduction. Man's salvation is a glorious theme. The Bible teaches man can be saved (Acts 16: 30-34, 2: 36-47). The Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). To call on his name means to submit to God's authority and do what God has said (Acts 2: 21, 22-41). However, no man is sinless (Rom. 3: 23, 1 John 1: 6-10). Though one strive to do exactly what God requires, one still falls short of absolute perfection in general. Hence, salvation is "by grace...through faith..." (Eph. 2: 8).
Man cannot merit salvation. The only way man can merit salvation is by flawlessly keeping God's law. In such a case, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt" (Rom. 4: 4). This is true regarding any law of God. As a matter of fact, the flawless keeping of law and grace are incompatible (Rom. 11: 6). Hence, salvation is referred to not as a payment earned, but as a gift from God (Rom. 6: 23). The same verse states what man has earned or merited, if you will: "for the wages (payment, dm) of sin is death...." Since man cannot merit salvation, God has provided the necessary grace and mercy (Eph. 2: 4-10).
The fact man cannot merit salvation does not exclude man's participation in his salvation. Peter exhorted, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2: 40, KJV). The people to whom Peter spoke did "save themselves" by accepting and obeying God's provisions for the nonChristian, his gift: belief, repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2: 36,38, Rom. 10: 9,10).
Conclusion. As far as a succinct answer to "how can man merit salvation?" the answer is by sinless obedience. Since man "cannot" do that, man cannot merit salvation. We should be thankful for salvation by grace and accept (obey) God's gift (Heb. 5: 9).
Man cannot merit salvation. The only way man can merit salvation is by flawlessly keeping God's law. In such a case, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt" (Rom. 4: 4). This is true regarding any law of God. As a matter of fact, the flawless keeping of law and grace are incompatible (Rom. 11: 6). Hence, salvation is referred to not as a payment earned, but as a gift from God (Rom. 6: 23). The same verse states what man has earned or merited, if you will: "for the wages (payment, dm) of sin is death...." Since man cannot merit salvation, God has provided the necessary grace and mercy (Eph. 2: 4-10).
The fact man cannot merit salvation does not exclude man's participation in his salvation. Peter exhorted, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2: 40, KJV). The people to whom Peter spoke did "save themselves" by accepting and obeying God's provisions for the nonChristian, his gift: belief, repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2: 36,38, Rom. 10: 9,10).
Conclusion. As far as a succinct answer to "how can man merit salvation?" the answer is by sinless obedience. Since man "cannot" do that, man cannot merit salvation. We should be thankful for salvation by grace and accept (obey) God's gift (Heb. 5: 9).