ApologetiX- Song Lyrics: More Than Works

Chart History
From the album Pornograffiti, More than Words was a #1 Pop hit for Extreme in 1991.

Songwriter:
Nuno Bettencourt & Gary Cherone

J's Journal:
This song was originally included on our "Isn't Wasn't Ain't" cassette in 1993, but we wholeheartedly thought it needed an extreme makeover (both the lyrics and the performance), so we didn't include it on either the "Isn't Wasn't Ain't" 10th anniversary CD reissue in 2004 or "Isn't Wasn't Ain't (Director's Cut)" in 2005. It's based on Ephesians 2:8-10, which says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Good works are wonderful things, but they're not something that we do to attain or maintain our salvation. Karl and I first had to learn "More Than Words" by Extreme for his cousin's wedding (at her request) back when it was a hit, a year before ApologetiX existed. Well, I only had to learn to sing it; he had to learn to sing harmony and play it. Anyway, once we started doing ApologetiX, I figured we'd put all our practice to good use and write a parody of it.

Stats:
Genre: Adult Contemp.
Length: 4:11

More Than Works
Parody of "More than Words" by Extreme
(John 6:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8)

They might tell you there’s lots of works God wants to see from you
That’s not the right attitude – none are saved by things that man can do
But Jesus said the deed was done on Calvary
More than works ‘cause all the good you do ain’t no big deal
And it couldn’t get you saved – that’s too costly --the Bible tells me so
What would you do if I quote Ephesians 2
No man’s works can save his soul – that’s so nobody can boast
The Good Book says that it’s not by works but grace
And you couldn’t make things new without faith in our Lord too
Now they might try to talk to you and make you just like them
(But) all you have to do is hope in Christ and just be born again
And trust the Holy Ghost – He’ll never let you go
More than works ‘cause all of men’s good deeds are still too small
And they couldn’t get you saved – but you can be ‘cause Christ already rose
What would you do if your heart was born anew
Your good works could show your faith, but you must first take His grace
What do you say? If you trust His Word today
Then you could still make things new just by prayin’ – why don’t you?

John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”