Some parts of the religious world have often taught that you cannot be saved by works. We have even had some in the church to espouse the same false idea. How then do we solve the issue? We should know that man has to have knowledge beyond himself to direct the course of his life (Jer. 10:23). There never has been a moral code of conduct created by man that can direct the individual how to live and at the same time know they have eternity with God. The standard that should be used by all is the Word of God. The Word of God is inspired by Him and He cannot lie (2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 6:18).
The scriptures are given to us in written form. I do not listen to some voice in my head. Neither do I trust what man tells me that cannot be verified by scripture (1 Cor. 4:6). The words have been selected by God in order that the truth could go into all the world (1 Cor. 2:13). We affirm that such was the case in the first century, that is the gospel did go into all the known world (Col. 1:23). Having the Word in written form calls upon all honest people to invest time in study and proper application of the Word (2 Tim. 2:15).
Let us consider then the case of Paul found in Acts 27. The Jews through Festus had sought for Paul to be brought back to Jerusalem for trial. Paul would not agree to such a change in venue and he therefore appealed to Caesar. As the 27th chapter of Acts opens up, Paul is being taken to Rome by ship. Paul warns those in charge to not make the trip at this time because there is a danger of lost of the vessel and of lives (Acts 27:10). The owner of the ship and the master confer and decide to ignore the warnings of Paul (verse 11). It is safe to assume the centurion, the owner and the master did not believe Paul.
The ship is hit hard by a northeastern wind that begins to drive the ship (verse 14). After days of fighting the storm, Luke writes all hope that we should be saved is taken away (verse 20). Paul then speaks to them. He relates that an angel had appeared to him and revealed that God had given Paul all the lives of those on the ship (276). God cannot lie so the lives of 276 people would be spared. It is now the 14th day and by sounding they know they are getting close to some shore. They put out behind the ship, 4 anchors to slow it down (verse 29). Did God promise to save them? The answer is “yes”.
Some of the sailors while casting out the anchors decide to take one of the small boats and make for shore (verse 30). Paul tells the centurion the men must stay in the ship otherwise ye cannot be saved (verse 31). If God promised to save, why then this condition? Did the Roman soldiers believe Paul? They did and they cut away the small boat so that it could not be used. Paul then speaks once more to the crew and tells them to eat. The ship runs aground with the back part of it torn away by the waves. At this point some are swimming to shore while others get on parts of the ship which was broken up by the storm.
How many made it to the island of Melita? All 276 by swimming or floating on boards made it to the safety of the island. Here then is my question. God promised to save. Conditions were involved in as much as they had to stay in the ship until the right time to leave. When they swam or floated on boards, was this salvation by works? They stayed on the ship, had a meal together and when the ship wrecked they all made for the shore. Whether swimming or floating on boards it was salvation provided by God.
Works can fall into different groupings. Works of merit or works of obedience. Those on the ship believed but they had to get into the water to make it to the shore. This is not saving men on their own merits or schemes. This is men believing what Paul told them and that salvation rested on them entering the water and making for shore. On the day of Pentecost the apostles told their audience to “save themselves” (Acts 2:40). Those who gladly received this message were immersed into Christ on that day; some 3000. Dear friend, “swim for it”.