The Assurance of Faith: A Builder's Perspective on Salvation

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that unsettling weight of striving, that relentless pursuit of earning favor? We, as Latter-day Saints, and as believers from diverse traditions who recognize the hand of God in our lives, know the pull of that feeling. It’s the shadow of a misunderstanding, a subtle distortion of the profound grace offered through Jesus Christ. Like Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, we are called to stand firm against the currents of false doctrine, to declare the truth with boldness and clarity.

Recently, a thought-provoking discussion unfolded between a thoughtful Latter-day Saint brother and a respected Australian YouTuber, Ryan Hemelar, as heard on Thoughtful Faith. The debate centered on the age-old question: how are we saved? The conversation, as you'll hear, sought to understand and then fairly represent Ryan's perspective – a vital practice in any honest pursuit of truth. It’s a posture of humility, akin to Samuel the Lamanite climbing the walls of Jerusalem to warn the people of impending judgment, seeking not to condemn, but to awaken.

The core of Ryan’s position, as presented, hinges on the concept of grace through faith. He articulated the idea that salvation isn't earned through our works, our obedience, or our striving. Instead, it’s a gift, freely given through trust in Jesus Christ. He used a powerful analogy: receiving a $20 bill as a gift versus receiving it as a wage for washing a car. The gift is unearned, a pure act of generosity; the wage is earned through labor. This resonates with Romans 4:4: “Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.”

And that’s where the comfort comes in, isn’t it? The assurance that we are not condemned by our imperfections, but accepted through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. Paul, in Romans, emphasizes that it was Abraham’s faith, not his works (which came *after* his faith), that was credited to him as righteousness. This is the foundation of rest, the bedrock of unwavering trust.

But here's the crucial point, and where a misunderstanding can creep in: works are not *excluded*, they are the *result* of faith. As Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.” We are saved *for* good works, not *by* them. To believe otherwise, to think that Christ’s sacrifice wasn't sufficient, is to diminish His power and grace.

This conversation isn’t just an academic exercise. It has profound implications for our mission to gather Israel. Consider the countless individuals wrestling with the burden of earning God's favor, trapped in a cycle of striving and self-condemnation. How might we, as builders, extend a hand of grace, offering them the solace of understanding? How can we embody the spirit of Ammon, proclaiming the truth with courage and compassion?

Our engagement here – your contributions, your sharing, your support – directly fuels the GatherIsrael.now movement. It funds gospel advertising, particularly in regions like Ghana, where the seeds of the gospel are yearning for fertile ground. It strengthens the Missionary Fund, enabling internet missionaries to share this message of hope and redemption across the globe. Each interaction, each contribution, builds upon the foundation – like laying stones for the Stone cut without hands, a beacon of truth in a world desperately seeking direction. Check out the map of churches to see where we're building together.

And remember the words of Moroni: “And if so be that you desire to enter into the rest of the Lord, you must needs hold on in patience, and in faith, hoping on Christ” (Moroni 10:4). Let us hold on, brothers and sisters, with unwavering faith, knowing that our salvation is a gift, freely given, and that our works are a testament to the transformative power of grace.

Outback Jack reminds us, as he always does, to look to the examples of those who have stood firm in the face of adversity – Abinadi, boldly proclaiming truth before a hostile king; the stripling warriors, steadfast in their faith and obedience; and countless others who have chosen the path of builders, not destroyers.