What is grace?
Salvation is by grace. Good works are part of each believer’s new identity in Christ, as God prepares those works in advance. Most Christians here part of this statement quoted repeatedly, leaving off the rest of the story. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Here’s the rest of the story that makes it all make sense. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Grace is the power for good works. “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
That’s really different from the theology that says “You are saved from hell, and now you should try to live a good life” or “Now that you’re born again, you need to get other people born again.” There’s nothing wrong with living a good life or bringing people to Christ. Understand the difference between self-effort and yielding to the Holy Spirit working in you to do the work. The reality is that grace is God working in you to do His good works. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
While believers are called to work out their salvation, God’s grace is the power to do so. In Colossians 1:29 Paul said, “For this I toil, struggling with all His (God’s) energy that He (God) powerfully works within me.” Paul acknowledges that any effort he makes in serving and good works comes from God’s grace and strength working in him. And yet, Christians try in vain to bring their own works to God. Some say they aren’t earning their salvation, but they’re just trying to show their thankfulness to God. Good works have to come from God or they aren’t good works.
Ask God to answer these questions:
What does salvation mean?
How are you saved?
What is grace?
What are good works?
Why are good works part of your new identity in Christ?
Bonus questions:
How do you allow grace to do good works through you?
Does grace mean you don’t have to do anything?
Why does God prepare good works for you in advance?
What does it mean to work out your salvation?
Why can’t your works earn salvation?
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