What happens when you tie good works to salvation?
When you tie good works to salvation, you cancel the work of the cross, because God finished everything needed. You become a debtor to the whole law, which is impossible to keep. Christ becomes of no effect to you, and you fall from grace by turning your back on God's provision.
Les explains that circumcision was the big deal back then because the Jewish people were bringing it into the Gentile churches, but the principle applies to anything done in the energy of the flesh—joining the church, being baptized, taking the Lord's Supper, or good works. As long as you tie it to salvation, you are canceling the work of the cross, because God is adamant that He finished it and did everything that needed to be done. If we are not satisfied with that, He is not accepting us. Paul testifies again that every person who is circumcised becomes a debtor to do the whole law. Only Christ Himself walked this planet able to do that, so keeping the whole law is an utter impossibility. In verse 4, Christ becomes of no effect to those justified by law, legalism, or doing something in the energy of the flesh. They have fallen from grace, not meaning they were saved and fell out, but that they turned their back on what God has provided.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
More Questions
Can you be saved by doing good works or religious acts?
You cannot gain salvation by doing something (works); that approach is barking up the wrong tree.
Can you be saved by believing in Jesus plus doing your own works?
You cannot gain salvation by doing something, and you cannot gain salvation by believing Christ died for you while also insisting you must do this or that, such as walking an aisle.