No — works cannot be part of salvation because salvation is the gift of God's grace received through faith, not something earned by human effort.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is by grace through faith, is the gift of God, and is 'not of works, lest any man should boast.' Les Feldick teaches that adding works to the gospel turns salvation into a payment and makes it worthless. Good works are the result of salvation, not the reason for it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — These verses directly state that salvation is by grace through faith, is a gift, and is not of works — the clearest answer to why works are excluded.
The Bible is explicit that salvation is not a wage earned by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.' The same context adds that believers are 'his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works' — the good works follow salvation; they do not produce it. Paul also connects this to faith counted as righteousness in Romans 4:5: 'But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.' Scripture therefore separates the act of believing from the works that flow from being created anew in Christ.
Les Feldick repeatedly teaches that salvation is 'all of grace by faith plus nothing.' He uses the analogy of a gift: for a true gift, you work nothing, because as soon as you work to pay someone for a gift, it is no longer a gift. When Paul writes 'not of works, lest any man should boast,' Les connects it to the same principle Paul used about Abraham in Romans 4 — salvation excludes any ground for boasting. Les is equally careful to say that works are not absent from the Christian life. After salvation, God expects believers to work — but for reward, not for salvation. The believer is God's 'workmanship,' a new creation in Christ Jesus, and good works are the result and product of that new creation, never its price. He warns that adding anything — repentance, baptism, church membership, good works — to the gospel cancels the work of the cross. The whole salvation response is simply a response to the love God extended through the cross.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, 'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.' This verse comes immediately after 'not of works.' Les explains that when God saves someone, He makes them a new person — a new creation. From that point on God expects good works. They are a result of salvation, never the basis for it.
Les says: 'For a true gift, how much do you work? Nothing. There's nothing you can do, because as soon as you work to pay somebody for giving you a gift, it's no longer a gift.' Salvation is therefore not something you earn or pay for; it is received by faith. Attaching human effort to it changes it from a gift into a payment.
Les points to Romans 1:16: 'It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' He says 'it doesn't say that it joins the Church, gets baptized, takes communion, tithes, does good works.' These things are right in their rightful place, but they have nothing to do with how a person is saved. Adding any of them to faith plus nothing, Les warns, cancels the work of the cross.
Once a person enters the salvation experience, God expects him to work for reward. Les says the purpose of this working is to enhance His work, to enhance the Kingdom, and to bring honor and glory to His Name. The believer is 'nothing but His little worker bees.' But this working never retroactively earns the salvation that was already given as a gift.
A Response to Extended Love
Les shows that salvation is a response to the love God extended through the cross, not a payment for human effort.
Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Wage
Les explains that a true gift requires no work; once you work to pay for it, it is no longer a gift.
Work for Reward After Salvation
Les clarifies that after salvation God expects believers to work for reward, not to earn the gift.
Good Works Are a Result, Not the Cause
Les teaches that being saved is as great a miracle as creation, and good works are the expected result — but never for salvation.
A New Creation in Christ Jesus
Les says God makes the believer a new person and imputes righteousness to his account on the basis of faith, not works.
Attaching Works Makes Salvation Worthless
Les quotes Ephesians 2:8-9 and warns that as soon as works are attached to the gospel, salvation becomes worthless.
Nothing Added to the Power of the Gospel
Les notes that the gospel's power unto salvation does not name church membership, baptism, communion, tithing, or good works.
Adding to Faith Cancels the Cross
Les uses Romans 4:5 to show God justifies the one who worketh not, and warns that adding anything to faith plus nothing cancels the work of the cross.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This verse defines salvation as a gift received through faith, not something earned.
Ephesians 2:9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This verse explicitly removes works from the cause of salvation and explains why: so no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This verse shows that good works are the intended result of being created anew in Christ, not the means of salvation.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Paul describes justification as coming to the one who does not work but believes.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel's saving power is attached to believing, not to religious activities or good works.
Yes. It says, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Les emphasizes this makes salvation a gift, not a wage you earn.
No. Once saved, God expects believers to perform good works. Les says they are a result of salvation, not a condition for it.
No. Les teaches these have their rightful place but are not in the gospel of salvation. Adding them to faith alone cancels the work of the cross.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 5:1-2 Explained — Peace With God Through Faith Alone