No man can boast = no works in salvation

The exclusion of boasting is a necessary element of the Gospel. The saved cannot boast of our salvation (save in God Himself) because we did not earn our salvation. We did not work, fight, bleed, or die for it. The only thing we contribute to our salvation, other than the sin that makes it necessary, is the faith that makes it effective.

To boast of our faith would be folly. Imagine if we treated every gift this way. Every time we peel back the wrapping paper, we thank the one who gave us the gift for the thought and effort we put into it. Would that not be stupid? Of course it would. Faith is what it takes to receive the gift of salvation. Works are completely different.

So, we're going to imagine for a moment that the Gospel really is works based. Pick whatever version you want, all I want you to do is imagine some form of works based "gospel", and two people who have the identical faith in it. These two people, while they believe the same things, are not equal in their deeds. One of them meets a good portion of the works required by his denomination, the other does not. Tragically, they both die in the same car crash. The good one goes to Heaven, the bad one goes to Hell. What can the good one say? Well, he can say "I was the good one". He can say he is better than his counterpart. He did what was necessary to earn his salvation, his friend did not. This is called "boasting".

Rather than salvation being a gift, this version of salvation would be more of a prize. Like winning a sports competition or a game show or something. Or heck, making it the difference between earning a paycheque and a pink slip. This kind of "salvation" downplays God and gives glory to the saved. We earned our salvation by being better than those who did not.

In reality, boasting is excluded. When we get to Heaven, we won't be able to say we're better than those who didn't make it. Heck, in many cases, we probably aren't. Sure, those in Hell all have blasphemy, idolatry, and faithlessness on their rap sheets, but there will be serial killers, rapists, and paedophiles in Heaven. People who did terrible things in their lives, far worse than the white liars, the homosexuals, the gossips, who went to Hell. Now, obviously, if you have faith in Christ, there's no way you're going to keep killing and raping people. Faith just doesn't work like that. But the point of salvation is that your failures to earn Heaven are forgiven by the God who hung on a cross in your stead. Jesus can boast about earning salvation for you.

And that's why salvation can only be by grace alone, through faith alone. By your works, you stand condemned. Maybe not rape or murder (although it is theoretically possible this article may reach such a person), but James tells us "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10). So, have you ever looked at a woman with lust? Have you ever called your brother a fool? Have you ever used the Lord's name in vain? You could have only one sin on your record, that one moment of lawlessness would render your righteousness filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). And my friends, I assure you, you have far more than just one sin.

So who can be saved? The one who confesses Jesus as Lord, and believes in his heart that God raised Him from the dead. This faith does produce works. After all, if you believe God sent His only Son to die in your place, why would you seek to continue in the ways of that death? But rest assured, those works are a result of salvation, not a method by which it is obtained. Men better than you will be condemned, and men worse than you will be saved. Do not imagine you can boast, for the God you boast to is Holy and just. Enter the Kingdom through His Son, for if you try to brag of your own works, you will be condemned.