Grace and Works
—Are works opposed to grace?
This lesson shows that when our good works are combined with faith, then our faith is validated, and through that faith we are saved by grace. Whilst our obedience in good works does not earn our salvation, nevertheless without that obedience we will not be saved by grace.
1 Are works Opposed to Grace?
Philippians 3:7-9
Sometimes the Bible puts good works in a bad light. For example Paul considered the good works he had practiced to be "rubbish" (Philippians 3:7-9).
Paul is not saying, however, that his good works were a bad thing. It is simply that his works were not, on their own, able to save him. Works are not a substitute for Christ the Saviour who said, "No man can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
You cannot point to your works and say, "These will save me, these will do; I don't need Jesus or his cross!"
I've heard it said, "My religion is honesty". That means that if you live an honest life and don't cheat anyone, then you'll go to heaven. You don't need Jesus or his works. Your own works are good enough.
That is saying that one doesn't need grace —because one has earned salvation by one's own honesty and good character.
This is false because "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The verses following that quote show that a person is "justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (Justification means being made right in God's sight. Redemption means being ransomed from slavery in sin.)
As soon as you deny or ignore your need of a Saviour, Justifier and Redeemer, you and your good works become opposed to God’s grace and righteousness. Your false salvation by works, based on your own righteousness, is quite the opposite of true salvation by grace that God offers.
2 Is God Opposed to Works?
Luke 18:9-14
God is not against good works because he commands them. These are "good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
Paul preceded that statement by saying that salvation is by grace, through faith, not of yourselves, not of works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). If God has prepared good works for us to walk in, how can Paul say that salvation is not of works?
The answer lies in the phrase "lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). God must take the credit for our good works. We have nothing to boast of. He prepared our good works for us to do, and he works in us to do them.
In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector who each prayed in the temple, the Pharisee said, "God, I thank you that I am not like the other men, swindlers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire." (Luke 18:11-12)
Is our gracious God against the Pharisee’s good works? No, of course he isn't. But he does oppose the Pharisee’s thinking. Regarding his good works, the Pharisee thanked God. However regarding his sins he did not ask God for forgiveness. He did not present himself to God as one in need of grace and mercy, so he was not forgiven, leaving him exposed to God’s wrath.
3 How are Grace and Works United?
James 2:21-22
It is possible, indeed intended, that works and grace —like the wings of a bird— are opposites but working together. Grace and works are united by faith. This was the case with Abraham who was " justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar. Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?" (James 2:21-22 NKJV).
When our good works are combined with faith, then our faith is validated, and through that faith we are saved by grace. "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. 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 NKJV).
Whilst our obedience in good works does not earn our salvation, nevertheless without that obedience we will not be saved by grace.