Ask a Pastor Column

Q: If all I have to do to be saved is believe what incentive is there for me to do good works?

A: You are correct that a person’s salvation and eternal destiny are determined solely by our acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ; “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” (Acts 16:31). God does not hold our salvation over our heads, threatening to send us to hell if we don’t fill a daily quota of good works (Romans 4:5; 5:1, 6, 8-9, etc.).

Does this mean that God does not care how we live? Is there no good reason to do good works? Absolutely not (Romans 6:15-23)! But the motive...