I've been accused by some here of believing in salvation by works. I don't, and never will because that is not what the Bible teaches.
I believe that I am saved solely by grace, without any works or merits of my own. Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
I believe and the Bible teaches as well, that no individual is saved by keeping any of the law, whether it be acts of kindness, or sacrifice, by contributions of money, or by keeping the Sabbath strictly etc.
All who will go to heaven will be saved by grace and grace alone. But this does not mean we violate God's law and continue in sin. On the contrary, if we are delivered from disobedience, we should delight to obey Christ's precepts. A consequence of being saved is that through the merits of Jesus Christ we are brought into a right relationship with God, which includes obedience to His law. Our works demonstrate the sincerity of our faith when we accept God’s offer of salvation. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26) Our works, our feelings, our lives show if we are connected to Christ. Please also read 1 John 1:6, 2:3-11, 3:3-22.
Works are the evidence of our beliefs. Just like smoke is evidence of fire, works are evidence of God’s grace at work in our lives. Where there is smoke there is fire, and where there is grace there are good works. Let’s take a look at three passages from the Bible.
Let’s begin with Romans 1:5, "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name."
Seems to me here that Paul is telling the Romans that the grace they received was to lead to their obedience. Hence their works of obedience are evidence of grace at work.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Sure enough the passage tells us that we are saved by grace and not by works, but still we find God creating good works in us at the scene of grace. We need more evidence.
Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Just as you see smoke where there has been a fire, so we again see good works where there is grace. Just like smoke is evidence there has been a fire, likewise living soberly, righteously, godly lives zealous of good works, is evidence that grace has been here.
If we trust God we will obey Him. Our works of obedience are presented as evidence in the judgment that we trust God’s amazing grace.
I believe that I am saved solely by grace, without any works or merits of my own. Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
I believe and the Bible teaches as well, that no individual is saved by keeping any of the law, whether it be acts of kindness, or sacrifice, by contributions of money, or by keeping the Sabbath strictly etc.
All who will go to heaven will be saved by grace and grace alone. But this does not mean we violate God's law and continue in sin. On the contrary, if we are delivered from disobedience, we should delight to obey Christ's precepts. A consequence of being saved is that through the merits of Jesus Christ we are brought into a right relationship with God, which includes obedience to His law. Our works demonstrate the sincerity of our faith when we accept God’s offer of salvation. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26) Our works, our feelings, our lives show if we are connected to Christ. Please also read 1 John 1:6, 2:3-11, 3:3-22.
Works are the evidence of our beliefs. Just like smoke is evidence of fire, works are evidence of God’s grace at work in our lives. Where there is smoke there is fire, and where there is grace there are good works. Let’s take a look at three passages from the Bible.
Let’s begin with Romans 1:5, "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name."
Seems to me here that Paul is telling the Romans that the grace they received was to lead to their obedience. Hence their works of obedience are evidence of grace at work.
Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Sure enough the passage tells us that we are saved by grace and not by works, but still we find God creating good works in us at the scene of grace. We need more evidence.
Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Just as you see smoke where there has been a fire, so we again see good works where there is grace. Just like smoke is evidence there has been a fire, likewise living soberly, righteously, godly lives zealous of good works, is evidence that grace has been here.
If we trust God we will obey Him. Our works of obedience are presented as evidence in the judgment that we trust God’s amazing grace.
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