No! The Bible certainly does not teach so. I certainly do not believe nor teach it. Nor do I know of anyone else who believes or teaches that works of merit save. Such an idea is just as wrong as can be.
The American Heritage Dictionary says of the word merit: “a quality of earning praise or approval” Works of merit, therefore, are such works whereby I would place God in my debt. He would owe me and would be obligated to reward or honor me because of my works. Such works could cause one to boast or brag of what good or great things he has done. But, salvation does not arise from such works. God said, “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:9).
However to say that ALL WORKS men do are works of merit is not true. The “works of God” in John 6:29 are not works of merit. They are works God has commanded men to do. They are works of obedient faith. It is the performance of these works of which James speaks. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24). “Faith only” will cause you to lose your soul! “Saving faith” is a faith that “works.” It is a faith that obeys God’s commands.
Are men saved by “works?” Yes – works of obedient faith. Are men saved by “works of merit” or “works only?” No! Nothing alone, or by itself, saves us. There are MANY things the New Testament teaches that save us: grace (Ephesians 2:8), blood (1 Peter 1:18-19), Faith (Romans 5:1), the word of God, the gospel (James 1:21. 22, 25; 1 Peter 1:22), repentance (Acts 2:38, Like 13:3), works of obedient faith (James 2:24; Hebrews 5:9), water baptism (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), hope (Romans 8:24), mercy (Titus 3:5), continued faithfulness (Matthew 10:22). All work together in bringing about salvation.
God promises salvation only to those who “in faith” humbly “obey” His Word. Jesus is “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Hebrews 5:9). “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). To “obey” or “do the will” of God is to work the works He has commanded.