If it were true that works have no place under grace, then Jesus would have been in error when He demanded from the church in Ephesus that they return to their first love by doing the deeds they did at first (Revelation 2:5). This should cause us to have a biblical understanding of the place of good works under grace, contrary to the opinion that works are not required under grace.
This is how the Bible describes the true grace that comes from God: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14, NKJV). From this biblical text, we learn that the grace that comes from God teaches us to say “no” to every form of sin while teaching us to live righteously and godly in this present age. This grace also makes us zealous to do good works. Therefore, if the type of grace you are living under does not encourage you to deny sin and be fully engaged in doing good works, then you are not living under the true grace of God but have come under the influence of a different spirit contrary to the grace of God.
It is interesting to note that after the Scriptures said we are saved by grace through faith, not by works so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9), it followed this statement with “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life” (Ephesians 2:10). So, while it is true that we are saved by grace through faith, the grace we receive from God also empowers us to deny all sin and to do the good works God prepared aforehand that we should walk in them. 2 Corinthians 5:10 also teaches that when we appear before the judgement seat of Christ, our judgement will be based on the things we have done in the body, whether good or bad, and we will receive our due accordingly. Therefore, it is deception to think that in Christ your works do not matter. Similarly, we learn in 1 Corinthians 3:10-14 that our rewards after this age is over will be based on our works. Our works will be passed through fire, and the fire will reveal the quality of each person’s work. For those whose work do not survive the fire, they will be saved but only as those barely escaping through flames of fire. But what hope do you have, if you have no works to present before Christ on the day of judgment?
So, the difference between the one living under grace and the one living under legalism is not that the former has no works whereas the latter does. Both have works. The works of the one living under grace is the natural response of the grace they have received, which makes them engage in good works and bear fruit out of obedience to and love for God whereas those living under legalism try to earn God’s salvation and favour by their good works, instead of first receiving God’s grace to be empowered to do those good works. But to think that to live under grace is to have no works is no less a deception than trying to earn God’s salvation and love with good works. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); even so faith if it has no works is dead (James 2:17).
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
December 28, 2021
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.