That is the title of Chapter 4 in my new book, The Gospel Is Still Under Siege. (We will release it on May 22 at our annual conference, though it will be for sale on our website around May 15.)
In the book, I give this explanation: “By good Christians, I am referring to people who identify as Christians, who are living in such a way that most people would say that they are morally upright, and who believe that perseverance in good works is necessary to gain final salvation” (p. 46).
My answer will be familiar to those who know my views. Yes. Good Christians need to be saved.
Look at Matt 7:21-23. The Lord is describing good Christians there. Yet He tells them to depart from Him because He never knew them. No one can gain entrance to Christ’s kingdom by their works. There is only One Way, and His name is Jesus. He gives everlasting life only to those who believe in Him and Him alone for it.
People cannot be saved by believing in salvation by faith plus works. Either they believe the promise of everlasting life—that is, by grace through faith and apart from works—or they remain unsaved (John 3:16; 5:39-40; 6:28-29; Eph 2:8-9).
Let’s say your loved one is a wonderful charismatic Christian. But he has never believed in Jesus for the promise of everlasting life. Then he remains unsaved, even though he is a wonderful Christian. The same applies to Catholics, Orthodox, Church of Christ, Calvinists, and Arminians.
We don’t evangelize people whom we believe are already born again. We evangelize people whom we think need everlasting life.
So this is an important question for you. Do your good Christian friends and loved ones need to be saved?
