But this offends our natural thinking because we assume that justification (or a right 

standing with God) should be the reward of those who do good -- and withheld from 

those who do evil. We want to get our salvation the old-fashioned way, “We want to earn it!”

This has been one of the most successful ploys of Satan in averting mankind from discovering the path of salvation. If Satan can confuse and undermine the doctrine of salvation by faith alone then he can fulfill his diabolical plan to take as many men, women, and children into the pit of hell with him. So, it has been his intention to convince people that they can be made right with God and guaranteed a place in heaven by performing certain rites and ceremonies.

Because of this, every false religion of the world is based on some form of salvation by 

works. Some are more sophisticated and attractive than others, but they all share the 

common false belief that man can earn his way to heaven.