It is critically important because salvation must be by faith plus nothing — adding works cancels the work of the cross.
Scripture says justification is by faith, not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Les Feldick teaches that as soon as any human work is attached to the gospel — baptism, church membership, walking an aisle, tithing, circumcision — it becomes a works religion and Christ profits the person nothing. Abraham is the pattern: he simply believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
Genesis 15:6 — Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God — the clearest example of faith with nothing added.
Romans 5:1 — Paul states that justification comes by faith, with nothing else added.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — Salvation is through faith, not works, so no one can boast.
The Bible consistently separates salvation from human effort. Genesis 15:6 says, 'And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.' Romans 4:3 repeats this: 'For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.' Paul makes the same point in Romans 3:27-28: 'Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.' Romans 5:1 says, 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Ephesians 2:8-9 states, '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.' Galatians 5:2 warns, 'Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.'
Les Feldick teaches that salvation is 'faith plus nothing' — or it is no salvation at all (Clip 6). He says any attempt to add a human work to the gospel cancels the work of the cross, because Christ said 'It is finished' and accomplished everything a holy God requires (Clip 3). He points to Abraham, who simply believed God and had righteousness counted to him (Clip 0). Les warns that things such as baptism, church membership, walking the aisle, giving, tithing, and even visiting the sick are works; they are appropriate after salvation but cannot be done to earn salvation (Clips 1, 7). He notes that when Christ died and rose, He did everything God could demand, and the only response God asks is to believe it (Clip 2). Therefore, anyone who thinks they must do something to be saved is canceling the cross and standing under God's judgment rather than resting on what Christ finished (Clip 3).
Les Feldick explains that if a person does something to fulfill salvation — whether circumcision, baptism, church membership, or any fleshly act — they cancel the work of the cross (Clip 3). He says Christ's declaration 'It is finished' means everything needed was accomplished on the cross, and God asks only that we believe it (Clip 2). Attaching even a small work turns grace into a works religion, and Christianity today is inundated with that subtle error (Clip 6).
Les Feldick identifies many works people treat as saving: baptism ('something you have decided to do'), church membership, walking an aisle, joining the church, giving, tithing, and helping the poor or sick. He says none of these are recognized by God as payment for salvation; they are works of the flesh. He illustrates that a teenage boy who joined the church to set his mother's mind at ease was doing a work — 'joining the church never saved anybody' (Clip 7).
Les is careful to say works are not wrong in their proper place. 'In their own respective places, after salvation, fine. That's what God expects.' He says once a person is saved, works follow; Paul's gospel is 'faith plus nothing until we're saved, and then what follows? Works, of course.' The change of life is the result and reward of salvation, not the means to it (Clips 1, 5).
Les uses Abraham as the example of what God expects today. Abraham and Sarah were old and childless, yet when God promised a multitude, 'he believed God' and Jehovah counted it to him for righteousness. Les points to Romans 4, where Paul uses Abraham's faith as the pattern: the righteousness is counted, not earned (Clip 0).
Abraham's Faith Counted as Righteousness
Les shows that Abraham simply believed God and that faith was counted as righteousness — the foundational pattern of salvation by faith with nothing added.
Works Cannot Be Added to Justification
Les says being justified by faith means 'plus nothing'; works like baptism and charitable deeds are expected after salvation but not for salvation.
Believing Christ Finished Everything
Les warns that requiring any personal action in addition to Christ's death and resurrection cancels the work of the cross; the only thing God asks is to believe it.
Adding Circumcision or Any Flesh Work Cancels the Cross
Les uses circumcision as one example; any human effort added to salvation, even church membership or baptism, makes Christ profit nothing.
Grace Through Faith, Not Works
Les connects with Ephesians 2:8-9: salvation is not of works and attaching works makes it worthless; no one can boast.
The Law of Faith Without Works
Les explains Paul's law of faith: justification is without works until salvation, then works follow as the result.
Faith Plus Nothing or No Salvation
Les insists that attaching anything to the gospel of grace makes it a works religion, and today's Christianity is full of this subtle error.
Church Joining and Aisle Walking Are Works
Les gives practical examples that joining a church or walking an aisle are works that have never saved anyone.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
A foundational verse showing righteousness was counted because Abraham believed God, not because of a work.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show the same faith principle applies to believers today.
Romans 3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Paul excludes boasting through the law of faith instead of a law of works.
Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Paul concludes that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul states the result of justification by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9: 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 clearest New Testament statement that salvation is not by works.
Galatians 5:2: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Paul warns that receiving circumcision as necessary for salvation makes Christ profit nothing.
John 19:30: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Christ's finished work is the basis Les uses to say nothing can be added.
Les says baptism is a work — 'something that you have decided to do.' In its proper place after salvation it is fine, but doing it for salvation is not recognized by God and cancels the work of the cross.
No. Les says joining a church is a work and walking an aisle is a work; neither has ever saved anyone. Those actions may accompany a profession of faith, but they do not bring salvation.
No. Les teaches that after salvation, works are what God expects — they are the result of salvation. The problem is trying to do them before or as a condition for salvation, because that turns grace into a works religion.
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