The debate over faith and works has a long history. Just about every religion in the world has a view of salvation by works and piety (being a good person/earning salvation). Christianity alone is different. You can only enter into eternal life by faith in Christ. This comes by trust in him, and his sacrifice, and believing that his grace is enough to cover our sins and make us worthy of life. This opens up a lot of questions so let’s dive deep into every aspect of this conversation from a biblical view.
Before we talk about grace, let’s talk about sin and goodness. What defines a good person? Is there an objective standard of goodness, and if so, can we meet it? If we fall short, what are the consequences?
Are you a good person?
Most people tend to think highly of themselves. We all minimize our own wrong doings and amplify those of others. Even if what they did and what we did were the same. We justify our actions but say other people’s actions are unforgivable. We don’t want to think of ourselves as the problem, yet we usually are. Without justifying yourself, read the 10 commandments and count the number of them that you have broken. If you have ever looked at a woman with lust Jesus says that is like committing adultery. If you have hated someone then you are a murderer at heart (Matthew 5:21-30).
Are you actually a good person or are you guilty? Another thing to consider is what we look like from God’s perspective. If you were to treat my children terribly, I would want you to be punished. We are all God’s children. Yet we misuse, abuse, and demean one another and ourselves. It would be expected for God to punish his children for behaving badly and it wouldn’t be loving for God to not punish your sins.
Being a good person is important, but it isn’t enough. Putting your trust in God is the ideal. The idea of Christianity is that you can’t be good enough to earn salvation since the standard is perfection, so God died for you to put on his goodness to pass the test. For his death to pay for the guilt that you have. Which is actually the main difference between Christianity and every other religion. Religion is typically men trying to earn their place next to God, and Christianity is God coming down to us to give us a place next to him as a gift and to do the work on our behalf.
That and Christianity is based on a single historical event and every other religion is based on blindly believing a scared text(s). Which is why if you can disprove the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus then there would no longer be any Christians. The physical evidence we have for the resurrection is pretty impressive. Hence, I’m still a Christian.
Grace and Forgiveness
The bible is pretty clear on how we are saved. There are 326 verses in the bible that have grace in it. I originally had 50 passages I wanted to cover but this turned into something unruly, so I worked it down to 30. The one I want to focus on the most is Ephesians 2:8-10.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So, we are saved by grace based on our faith. That just begs the question though. What is grace? A loose definition of grace is given in Daniel 9:9:
9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
Grace is being forgiving, loving, merciful, and compassionate even though the person doesn’t deserve it. Grace can be giving by anyone for any reason. The bible gives us many examples of how to live in grace and be graceful:
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:27-38
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4–8.
Loving those who hate you, praying for those who abuse you, being charitable with no return, being loving which would mean being patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs, not delighting in evil but rejoicing in the truth; this is what showing love to others means. Doing this toward someone who doesn’t deserve it is grace. We are called to be full of grace.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. – Colossians 3:12–14.
Bearing with each other and forgiving one another as God forgives us. Love is the culmination of all of these attributes. By being loving, we naturally show grace. One important thing to point out is the “forgive others as God forgave you”.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Jesus illustrates this principle of grace and forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant:
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” – Matthew 18:21–35
Peter asks if we are to only forgive others 7 times (which was more than what the Old Testament had, Amos 1:3-13). Jesus then responds with 70*7= 490 times. This is so many times it would be difficult to track this mentally, and that’s the point—our forgiveness should be so abundant that we lose count! Showing the limitless nature of grace.
The man in the parable owed 100,000 years of income (a gold bag, “talent”, was a year’s wage, around 10 billion dollars). Something quite literally impossible to pay (unless you are Elon Musk). Yet, God forgave it without reason out of his love, mercy, and compassion for the man. Then the man didn’t forgive 3 months’ worth of income (100 denarii, or 100 days’ worth of money) from his fellow man. God specifically punished the man for being unforgiving. Jesus tells us to forgive others from our hearts (removing all bitterness, not pardoning sin) so that we may be forgiven. This shows that forgiveness is a heart issue and not just a, “oh, I’m sorry”, issue. This calls into question the idea of forgiveness and what it means for us to be forgiven and to forgive others.
I can have grace towards my wife or kids when they forget to do something, or when they deliberately do something wrong, and I forgive them without them having to earn it. If you earn the forgiveness, it’s not grace. You can only forgive the way God wants you to, if you are giving grace. If you were to only forgive when someone made it up to you. An “eye for an eye” type of mentality. Then you would never show grace in forgiveness, as they would deserve your forgiveness.
God’s grace for us
This is the same grace God shows us when he forgives us. Jeremiah 31:33-34 says under the new covenant (that Jesus put in place), God forgives our wickedness and keeps no record of our sins. We are able to have the law written on our hearts and we will be able to know God. How is that possible? Grace!
John 1:15-17 agrees and the grace we receive from Jesus will replace all grace under the law. It is greater. Jesus is the originator of grace and truth. Without Jesus there is no grace. Without grace, there is no forgiveness of sins as we don’t deserve to be forgiven (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23). If we could be forgiven without grace, there would be no need for Jesus and the cross. We can’t behave our way into heaven. You cannot be a good enough person to “deserve” heaven.
John 3:16-18 shows us that we are saved by our belief and faith in Jesus. Those who don’t believe in him will be condemned. This is not because God isn’t loving, it’s because grace can’t enter in without Jesus. Jesus is needed for God to give us grace. Otherwise, if God forgave everyone (even without Jesus), God would be breaking his own law. If someone killed your family, would you think it is justice for their killer to go unpunished? Or would the judge be corrupt? Is God corrupt? How then can God forgive us? If there is no payment for sin, and God forgives us, is God still moral? Enter Jesus.
Summary so far: Grace is giving favor and love to those who don’t deserve it. We don’t deserve the love or favor or forgiveness of God, so he shows us grace and loves us anyway despite our sin. We are to show others grace in the same way God shows us grace. Love those who hate you and forgive those who wrong you even if THEY don’t regret it.
Now what does this actually look like? Do we need to do anything or does God’s grace just cover us as we are?
Faith vs Works
Paul makes the distinction between works and grace quite clear:
Salvation is a Gift, Not Earned
6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. – Romans 11:6
4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, – Romans 4:4-5
Grace and works can’t mix for salvation. What you work for is what is due to you, not what was given freely. Wages are something “earned”. They are an obligation of the work that was done. Our faith is not paid for. Jesus didn’t allow us to pay for our sins by becoming our sin on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). Our sins are already paid for, thus making salvation a gift. Being saved is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Role of the Law in Justification
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. – Romans 3:21-28
You can’t be justified by the law since none of us can live up to the standard. Also, God put off punishing you for sin until after the cross. Jesus’s blood on the cross is what cleanses us from our sins and is an atoning sacrifice which wipes away the debt and guilt from our sins.
We cannot be saved by being obedient to God’s law or commands. Not because there is a problem with the law but because of our own sin nature and failure to uphold it. Yet we are still justified by grace through Jesus’s atoning sacrifice. Which we receive by faith.
A common question I hear form Catholics and Legalists “is God breaking his own law by giving us grace? If the wages of sin is death, how can we pay for our sins? Is God still Just?”
God is not breaking his own law. He fulfilled his law by meeting all the requirements within and resisting all temptation. He conquered the grave and death and completed the law. He then took that achievement and gave it to us by dying the death we deserve on the cross. The only way we could pay for our sin is by dying and being separated from God forever. If you want to be with God, then someone else needs to pay for your sin. Therefore, Jesus died to save you from you.
Grace and Judgment
12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. – Romans 2:12-16
Even those who have never read the bible will be judged by what their conscience tells them. If you have ever gone against your conscience, then you are under condemnation by the law. You need a way to pay for that sin. But God says you can’t earn it back because even our good deeds are dirty to him (Isaiah 64:6).
The Interaction Between Grace and Sin
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand – Romans 5:1-2
20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:20
This is super important for understanding how grace and good works interact. This is the opposite of what Roman Catholics are taught and believe but it makes total sense with how we have laid out grace so far. As you deserve heaven more (you are becoming a better person), you need less grace. When you deserve heaven less (you are sinning more), you need grace more. As goodness increases, grace decreases and vice versa. If grace was given by doing good works, then this would be the opposite. Since grace is giving love and forgiveness to those who don’t deserve it, as you deserve it less, grace must increase to cover for your inequity, your sin.
Grace and Human Effort
10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:1-13
If you simply profess with your mouth that Jesus is Yahweh (God) and believe and trust in the resurrection, you will be saved. This is clarified in verse 10. It is a heart issue. We see this in Psalm 51 as well. God wants us to have a broken and repentant heart when it comes to our sin. When we realize how evil we are, and how much we need God, we should be broken hearted over our sin. Then we ask and trust in Jesus to cleanse us from it by accepting the sacrifice of the cross.
Predestination and God’s Purpose
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. – 2 Timothy 1:9-10
We are saved not because of anything we have done. It is again by grace. We don’t deserve salvation. Before creation we were already saved by God. God’s plans for your life were set out before he even created the universe we live in!
Salvation Through Mercy, Not Deeds
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3:3-7
We are sinners and yet God saved us while we were still in sin. Not because of what we have done but because of what God did.
Grace as a Teacher of Holiness
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. – Titus 2:11-14
We are saved by grace again. It also brings us closer to being holy and good. We are sanctified and purified by the washing away of our sins through Jesus. We are eager to do what is good, not because it “earns” us anything with God but because we have hearts after God.
Some say James and Paul contradict each other so let’s tackle that debate.
James 2 debate
There will be some who believe that you need both faith and works to be saved. Even though this contradicts other parts of scripture which clearly and emphatically says that faith alone saves us (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-14; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Titus 3:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Romans 3:19-31, 4:1-4, 5, 6, 7:7-12, 8:1-4, 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9, John 5:24, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:6, Genesis 15:6, Galatians 3, John 6:47, John 6:28-29, Acts 26:18, Habakkuk 2:4, etc. etc.).
So, let’s look at the James 2 passage which is by far the most used passage to support works-based salvation:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. – James 2:14–24.
What does it mean that faith without works is dead? Is James saying that we must do good deeds or follow some set of prescribed actions to be saved (sacraments)? No! But why not? 1) It would be a clear contradiction within the bible. If you believe that this is what he was saying, then either we need to throw this book out of the canon (as many have before), or we need to say that the bible does in fact, have contradictions. 2) Requiring works for salvation would diminish the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, as it implies that His atonement alone is not enough (Galatians 2:21).
Well, we need context from the rest of his letter. It may be a shock, but letters back then were read all at once and without any division between chapters or verses. Chapters and verses are artificial (possibly God inspired later on, but not authoritative). So, we can’t just read this section and ignore the rest of James (or even the bible at large for that matter). There are 2 other passages which are good to look at, James 1 and 3:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. – James 3:13–18.19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:19–27.
Good Fruit: The Natural Result of Faith
James 1 shows us that we have to be doers of the word and not merely listeners. James 3 tells us to live lives of wisdom which produces good fruit. These two ideas are linked and ties back into James 2. The concept of “good fruit” is all over the bible (Matthew 3:8, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 1:11, Jude 12, Hebrews 13:15, Colossians 1:10, Ephesians 5:9-11, Romans 7:4-5, John 15:1-17, etc). I want to highlight some of those passages in passing, “bearing fruit in every good work” – Col 1:10 and “without fruit and uprooted—twice dead” – Jude 12. The fruit here is tied to works. These true Christians produced fruit in their good works in Colossians and in Jude these ungodly people did not produce any fruit and were considered twice dead. We get this from Jesus a bunch of times in the gospels.
Matthew 7:15-23 shows us what James is actually conveying. You will know them by their fruit. If someone is a true believer, they will naturally produce fruit since the seed that was planted in the soil of their bodies led to a true tree of salvation and repentance. This tree produces the works which God prepared for us beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). Works are not something that adds to our faith but is the natural byproduct of our faith. It is the evidence of our salvation that our heart condition has to changed and we now have the tree of life in us that prompts us and creates a desire in us to serve the Lord.
Works as Evidence, Not the Source, of Salvation
James 2 is then about showing that we are Christians to other Christians. The good works we do are out of our hearts. When we have faith in Jesus we are born again. Part of being born again means having a new flesh and a new heart. A heart that desires to do good. The good works we do are thus a “fruit” of our salvation. Fruit is a really important metaphor here. Fruit takes time to cultivate and grow. It also will taste like the soil and water put into it. Good soil and good nutrients create good fruit. Bad soil creates bad fruit. “You will know them by their fruit”.
If you have a heart after God and you see someone in trouble, you will help them. Not because you are adding to your salvation or because you get something in return, but because it was the right thing to do. Even if it cost you.
James emphasizes that genuine faith naturally produces good works. These actions are the evidence of a transformed heart, not the currency for purchasing salvation.
When we accept Christ, we undergo a spiritual rebirth. The Holy Spirit begins a sanctifying work within us (sanctification), gradually molding us into the likeness of Christ. Our desires shift from self-centered pursuits to actions that honor God. Good works become the fruit of our salvation, not the root of it.
Ephesians 2:10 adds another layer: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Good works are part of God’s plan for believers—not as a means to earn salvation, but as a way to live out our faith and glorify Him.
Living in Grace by Faith
Salvation is a gift liberates us from the impossible task of earning God’s favor. It allows us to serve Him out of love and gratitude rather than obligation. Our good works become a joyful response to His grace, an outpouring of a heart transformed by His love.
Faith and works are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of the Christian life. Faith is the means by which we receive salvation, and good works are the evidence of that salvation at work within us. By embracing this truth, we can live confidently in God’s grace, allowing His Spirit to produce good fruit in our lives for His glory.
From the moment we place our faith in Jesus, a transformative journey begins—a journey that doesn’t rely on our perfection but on His. Our good works are not the parachute that saves us; they’re the wind in the parachute that shows we’ve taken the leap of faith. Trust in the Master Craftsman, for His work is perfect, and His gift is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Can’t We Just Live In sin?
Another common complaint I have heard from others is: “So, what then, can we just sin all we want since we have grace covering us?”. While this is true (Romans 8:1), this is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be saved (Paul already discussed this in great depth in Romans 6). When you are saved, your heart changes (2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 John 3:9). You desire new things, and you will hate sin in your life. If you find yourself still living in habitual sin without and shame or guilt, then you are likely not saved. If you want a loophole, you have not understood the cross. The death of God is not an excuse to sin. It is the open invitation into everlasting life purchased by the blood of Christ.
How are we standing before God? In works or grace? Christ died for us while we were still sinners. His death paid the death that we had to pay. This death is offered for us for all time. When we partake in his death through faith, we are made clean. We are reconciled with God. There is no condemnation for our sin. Jesus’s sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sin of all man of all time; both before Christ and after. For your past sins and your future sins.
The law shows how evil sin is (since so much of it has a death penalty). It is also the way that our sin nature is awoken (Romans 7:7-14). When we are young, we are under grace until the age of accountability when we die. Our spirit dies and we are separated from God when we know the difference between good and evil (i.e. eat from the tree).
This is the reason we need grace. Our sin nature can only be changed when we are cleansed from sin. We can only be cleansed from sin by a perfect atoning sacrifice. Only Jesus can be that sacrifice. Through Jesus we receive grace and forgiveness for our sin. There is no condemnation under Christ’s sacrifice. That does not mean that there is no conviction of sin. We will still be convicted by our conscience and the holy spirit when we sin.
We should still not sin even if we are guaranteed salvation. The only way to lose your salvation is the unforgivable sin. Living according to the Spirit involves walking in faith and demonstrating the fruits of that faith, which are evidence of your salvation. Does this mean we need works to be saved? No. We are saved by our heart’s position toward God and our faith in Jesus. When we accept his sacrifice and have faith that his sacrifice is enough to pay for our sins, we will be saved. This should produce repentance and good works in our lives and naturally make us walk in faith with the spirit.
What assurance do we have that we are saved by faith?
Lots.
- Romans 8:31-39
- Nothing can separate us.
- John 10:27-28
- We will not be taken from Jesus.
- Ephesians 1:13
- The seal is the guarantee of our salvation.
- Ephesians 4:29-32
- We are sealed with the holy spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
- His seal is on us. His spirit confirms our faith.
- Colossians 2:13-14
- He forgave all our sins and nailed the charges to the cross. Amen!
How we are saved recap
What the journey looks like from the beginning of our faith to end
You have faith in Jesus. This gives you justification and atonement for sin through grace. You repent. This starts the process of sanctification and being born again. You seek God. This gives you spiritual maturity and more sanctification. Sanctification (“becoming saint like”) is what makes us holy. This process continues your entire life as you are strengthened against the flesh and sin, and you walk more and more faithfully with the trinity of God.
When you die, and after the resurrection, we will be judged, and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus will be used to cleanse your record of sin so that you may be redeemed. After this point, we become “holy” like God. We won’t be like God in the sense that Mormons think. But we will have no fault in us and have an immortal body/trinity. Grace is no longer needed as we are no longer sinful. So, grace is the front end in forgiveness, and holiness/good works is the fruit of sanctification and our faith in Jesus as our sacrifice and savior.
What the journey looks like from end to the beginning of our faith
When we die and after judgment day, we will be made new in perfect unity with God. This requires no more grace for us to live but still requires faith, love, unity, harmony, and not rebelling. So, before this, while we are alive, we are made holy by the purifying fires of the holy spirit that will test us and burn away our flesh/sin. This is part of the process of sanctification. The holy spirit guides us, and we walk by faith. Leaning not on our own understanding but on God’s will for our lives. We do go works as the fruit of our heart after God.
What comes out of the mouth is out of the abundance of our heart. This applies for works and sanctification as well. Sanctification, you might say, is heart surgery that repairs us and brings us closer to God. Holiness, Serving God, love, charity, kindness, mercy, giving grace to others (forgiveness) all comes out of our hearts. This only happens as a byproduct of our faith in Jesus Christ and our repentance of sin when we are saved. In Jesus’s sacrifice, we are made new. Our depraved minds are reduced, and we are allowed to see the will of God and serve him in our lives. This starts with faith, through grace, which is not of ourselves lest anyone boast. It is a free gift of God.
How can we put this study into practice?
We can stand firm on God’s word and know that we will not be separated by God. You cannot behave yourself into heaven and so you cannot behave yourself out of salvation. Do not believe any lie from the devil or his demons about your salvation.
Seek holiness and walk in faith. Show grace to everyone. If you are angry with someone, let it go. If you are wronged by someone, forgive them even if they don’t ask for it. Show intentional love to those who dislike you. Pray for those who hate you.
Know that God’s grace is enough and that we are loved by God and that God is actively seeking a relationship with you. Seek God and you will find him. Listen for God’s voice and come to know what it sounds like.
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