What happens when you try to attain salvation by works?
Trying to attain salvation by works turns faith into a religion where man attempts to merit God's favor. Since the Law requires perfect obedience to every jot and tittle, failure brings the curse. Scripture says Christ redeemed us from the Law's curse by being made a curse for us. Works salvation leaves one under the curse, not saved.
Les teaches that when a person tries to attain salvation by works, it becomes a religion. Religion is man attempting to somehow merit favor with God, whereas Christianity is God reaching down in grace and saving sinful men. Religion always demands works and tells people what they have to do and what they cannot do. But true Gospel Christianity says you do nothing, because God has done it all. Under the Law, if you do not keep every jot and tittle to the last iota of perfection, you are under the curse. As Scripture says, 'Cursed is every man that does not do them, if you're going to do the Law.' Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by taking that curse upon Himself, being made a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.'