God’s Calling Or Religious Works?

Lately I have been troubled by articles that have caught my attention regarding works and salvation. How do I discern between what I feel compelled to do and what the Lord Jesus says about works? Should I stop what I am doing?

Q. Lately I have been troubled by articles that have caught my attention regarding works and salvation. I believe that I am forgiven of my sins by the blood of Jesus and that this was a gift of grace from God because I don’t deserve it. I also am acutely aware that we are not saved by works nor can maintain salvation through works because Jesus paid the price once and for all, completely.

I have a compulsion to tell other people when I can via sending emails of articles or gifts of bibles about salvation through Jesus and the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Him and the end times.

However, sometimes if I have “done” something “good” the thought creeps into my head regarding rewards in Heaven and the building up of riches in Heaven and not here on Earth. This led me to self examination about my motives for what I do and why I do it. The idea of being left behind after the rapture has led me to tears.

The problem is as we see the escalation in fulfillment of prophecy before our very eyes I feel an even stronger desire and sense of urgency to help or tell those who don’t appear to know Jesus as their Savior about what has happened, is currently unfolding and that Jesus can save them.

Is it our commission to help others by spreading the Word and helping/ clothing/feeding the poor etc once we are saved because of the price Jesus paid for us and the grace that God has shown? How do we best serve God especially now?

How do I discern between what I feel compelled to do and what the Lord Jesus says about works? Should I stop what I am doing?

A. The only qualification for going in the Rapture is belief in the Lord and His completed work on the cross. (John 14:1-3) Any rewards we have earned will be disclosed to us in Heaven where we’ll fully understand and agree with the Lord’s judgment. There will be no shame or sorrow associated with that judgment.

If the Lord has impressed upon your heart a sense of urgency to share the Gospel and help others in His name, then you’re just being obedient and are not indulging in religious works. The doubt you feel is the work of the devil who is trying to dissuade you.