Relying on works for salvation is problematic because it cancels the work of the cross and makes Christ profit nothing.
Scripture and Les Feldick both teach that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing. The moment any human effort—baptism, church membership, giving, or any other work—is attached to the gospel, it becomes a works religion that God will not recognize. Faith alone in Christ's finished work is the only way of salvation.
Galatians 5:2 — Paul says that if a person adds the work of circumcision to faith, Christ profits them nothing—directly showing the consequence of relying on works.
Romans 4:5 — The person God justifies is the one who does no works for salvation but simply believes on God who justifies the ungodly.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — Salvation is explicitly said to be by grace through faith, not of works, so that no one can boast.
The Bible is explicit that salvation does not come by works. Paul writes, 'But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness' (Romans 4:5). The righteousness that saves is counted to those who do nothing for salvation but simply believe. Ephesians makes the source of salvation plain: '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' (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Les Feldick consistently teaches that salvation is 'faith plus nothing' and that adding any work—no matter how religious—cancels the work of the cross. He points to Paul's allegory of Ishmael and Isaac, showing that law and legalism must be treated the way Abraham treated Ishmael: cast out completely, because grace and law cannot mix (Clip 0).
Paul says that to the one 'that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.' In Ephesians, salvation is by grace through faith, 'not of works, lest any man should boast.' The biblical pattern excludes human effort from the cause of salvation.
Les Feldick lists baptism, joining the church, walking the aisle, giving, tithing, visiting the sick, giving to the poor, repentance, and church membership as things people often treat as conditions for salvation. He says these are fine after salvation—they are what God expects—but they never save anyone. Anything done with the thought 'I think I better do this so I'll merit heaven' is a work.
When even a small work is attached to the gospel of grace, it becomes a works religion. Galatians says that if you are circumcised—representing anything man can do to merit salvation—Christ shall profit you nothing. Les Feldick warns that adding to faith cancels the work of the cross, and this is why millions of church-goers will miss heaven's glory.
Law and Grace Cannot Mix
Les uses the casting out of Ishmael to show that law and legalism must be completely removed from the believer's life; grace and law cannot mix.
Works After Salvation Are Fine, Not for Salvation
Les lists baptism, church membership, visiting the sick, and giving as works that are legitimate after salvation but cannot save anyone.
Adding to Faith Cancels the Cross
Les says millions of church-goers will miss heaven because they have added something to faith plus nothing, canceling the work of the cross.
Christ Profits Nothing When Works Are Added
Les explains Galatians 5:2: if you add circumcision—or anything man can do to merit salvation—Christ profits you nothing.
Works Religion Is Subtle
Les notes that works religion can come in subtle forms, such as New Age influences that draw people into relying on human effort for salvation.
Anything Done to Merit Heaven Is a Work
Les gives examples—joining the church, walking the aisle, tithing—and says each is a work that cannot bring salvation.
Saved by Grace Through Faith, Not Works
Les teaches that Ephesians says clearly we are saved through faith, not of works, and that attaching works makes the gospel worthless.
What Scripture Does Not Say
Les points out that the verse people often imagine—repent, be baptized, join the church, give tithes, do good works, and believe—is not what Scripture says.
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Paul commands believers to remain in Christ's liberty and not return to the bondage of law-keeping.
Galatians 5:2: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
The specific work of circumcision is the test case for any work added to salvation.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Justification belongs to the one who does no works for salvation but simply believes.
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.
Salvation is a gift received through faith, not a wage earned by works.
Galatians 4:30: Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
The scriptural pattern is to expel legalism, the son of the bondwoman, from relationship with grace.
No. Les Feldick teaches that good works, such as visiting the sick or giving to the poor, are what God expects after salvation. They only become a problem when they are done to merit heaven, because then they are works that God will not recognize for salvation.
No. Les Feldick lists baptism and church membership as works someone can decide to do, but they are not conditions for salvation. Walking the aisle never saved anyone. These actions are proper only after salvation, when they express what God has already done.
Paul writes that if a person is circumcised—that is, adds any work men can do to merit salvation—Christ profits them nothing. Les Feldick says this cancels the work of the cross, making grace of no benefit to that person.
Watch the Teaching: Why Mixing Law and Grace Cancels the Work of the Cross