(1 John 2:2) Jesus died for the sins of the whole world.

Over almost 50 years as a Christian, pastor, teacher, and missionary, I have heard many Bible interpretations concerning the relationship of “grace and works” in our salvation.

In summary, many of these viewpoints have always concluded with a theology of “Jesus, plus much more.”  

Even though some pastors and Bible teachers do not use the phrase “Jesus, plus much more,” this is what they are really saying. They end up with some form of “grace plus works” that are required for salvation.

This is a theology, in my view, that is totally foreign to New Testament writers, especially Paul.

Paul emphasizes in the letter of Galatians that those Jewish Christians who were insisting that circumcision was required for salvation is a “false gospel.” 

Today, some pastors add water baptisms, church membership in the true church, communion, what clothes we wear, tithing, attending temple ordinances, keeping the OT commandments (like what we eat), and many more rules. 

Those who require “Jesus, plus much more” point to James 2:24, “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone” to support their theology. But this verse must be interpreted in light of the whole teaching of the New Testament. 

Our understanding of biblical salvation must be centered in the New Testament teaching that our salvation doesn’t require “Jesus, plus much more,” but “Jesus, plus nothing else”.

Read these passages:

1 John 2:2, “Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

These verses are clear, what is required for our salvation is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone. 

Those who add any form of extra works for eternal life reduce the total completion of Jesus’ death on the cross for our fallen condition and struggles. 

Jesus has died for our sins, all our sins! 

Our righteousness is found in Jesus Christ alone—nothing else—or we minimize the love of God for the world. 

It is only through our faith—and being born again by the Holy Spirit—that produces a life-style (works) that pleases God. 

Stand alone in the love of God through the salvation that Jesus has fulfilled in his perfect life, and in his death on the cross and resurrection.

Don’t be shaken!

We must stop living with the false burdens of religion, as if we can add any human works to the eternal grace of Jesus Christ.

This alone is the freedom of God, and it is what empowers us to live the life of Jesus Christ.