Grace Without Works
We must come to grips with the matter of grace and works. One doctrine teaches that man is saved totally and completely by the grace of God and that works have absolutely nothing to do with salvation. This doctrine says that man must do nothing, can do nothing, to be saved.
This is a divisive doctrine! The eventual end of this teaching allows man to choose for himself what he will do in service to God. For example, if works which man might do are unimportant then such things as how to worship, how to become a Christian, or how to gain church membership make no difference for this is but a work which has nothing to do with salvation. So, man may simply choose for himself what he desires in these and other areas. The result: almost as many ways of worship etc., are devised as there are people claiming salvation.
If, on the other hand, we learn that there are some righteous works, which God in spite of his grace, expects us to perform, then we can unite in humble submission to the righteous works of God as revealed in the scriptures.
Grace or Law?
Are we under grace, or are we under law? Law demands that we obey certain precepts and commandments. If we are totally under grace without law, then all of the commandments in the scripture mean nothing. If, however, we recognize some commandments of law, does this mean that we are rejecting the grace of God?
Both grace and works law are taught in the scriptures. Grace only, without works, is a doctrine devised by man. The Bible no where says that works rejects grace. Neither does the Bible say that grace eliminates law. The Bible shows us that grace and the works commanded by God are compatible.
Man cannot be saved without the grace of God. Neither can man be saved if he refuses to obey the righteous works commanded by God. Let us now examine some Bible truths about grace and law.
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“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, “ (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV)
Unrighteous works in religion, devised and practiced by man, have always been ruled out or condemned by God. The works condemned in this passage fall into this category for they are works over which man might boast. Self righteous works of man stand in defiance of the grace of God and for that matter they stand in contradiction to the new testament law of Jesus Christ. Any work which God has commanded us to perform is not an Unrighteous work of man but a righteous work required by God
The passage above says nothing about salvation by grace only. Are we saved by grace? Certainly, for without it no man can be saved. Are we saved by grace only? No! God requires, along with his grace, some commandments that must be obeyed.
The passage above teaches that grace is not of ourselves, but it is a gift from God. Grace is not of man therefore man has no right to boast. The passage could be paraphrased as follows:
- “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”(Ephesians 2:8-9).
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,”
(Titus 3:4-5).
God manifests His love, mercy and grace in many ways. However, the greatest manifestation of grace is the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, upon the cross. Man has done nothing to achieve or earn this gift. Christ did not come to earth because of any work of righteousness which we have done. He came by the mercy and grace of God. Just because man did nothing to merit this gift in no way suggests that man is saved from sin without obedience to the commands of God.
If man can be saved without obedience then all men are saved regardless of whether they even desire salvation or not. Titus 2:11, says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” No person is without the gift but all will not be saved for all will not obey in order to receive the benefits of grace.
Who are we to say that God cannot send his Son to die for our sins and at the same time require obedience to certain righteous works revealed in the scriptures? This is not a Bible doctrine. This concept was born in the mind of man.
Scriptural Truths
The bible plainly teaches that we are saved by grace. The Bible no where says that we are saved by grace only without works. If so, then all men are saved for the grace of God has appeared unto all men. All men will not be saved for all have not obeyed the gospel.
- “And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (2nd. Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Any passage that sets forth the idea that man must obey the commandments of God is sufficient to prove that grace and obedience are both essential factors in salvation. It should be emphasized again that man is never obligated to obey the doctrines of man. This will save no one. However, obedience to the commands of God is necessary.
- “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Suppose a hunter, while walking through the woods at night, accidentally fell into a deep pit. He is helpless to rescue himself. He shouts to the top of his voice hoping some one will hear and come to his aid.
Eventually someone does hear and brings a ladder and extends it down into the pit. What would you think if the victim looked up to his benefactor and said, “I really believe you have the ability to save me from this predicament, but I just really don’t want to climb up this ladder. Would you please come down here and carry me up the ladder. Since you were willing to bring the ladder for my escape, surely you don’t expect me to climb out of here! I simply prefer to be saved without having to do anything on my part.”
This story makes about as much sense and the doctrines of Luther, Calvin, and others who decided centuries ago to completely overlook the scriptures that teach the obedience of faith and who claimed that man must be saved by grace only and must do absolutely nothing to be saved.
Man is in the pit of sin. He is helpless to save himself. God has extended the ladder which is the atoning death of Jesus on the cross. Man must now take the necessary steps of gospel obedience in order to be saved. Jesus went to the cross and die in our place. Is it so unreasonable for God to require obedience on our part in order to receive the benefits of God’s love and mercy?
Salvation by grace is a Bible doctrine (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, the doctrine of grace only without works is a man made doctrine which cannot be found in the scriptures (see James 2:24). It is important to realize that man can never be saved by self-devised or human works. Neither can he be saved by works alone without the grace of God. The sinner must believe in and avail himself of the grace of God or he cannot be saved.
Various types of works are mentioned in the word of God. The kind of works necessary to salvation (when combined with grace) is the righteous works commanded by God. Man can never be saved by his own works, by the works of the flesh, nor by the works of the old testament law which came by Moses. Works necessary to salvation are righteous because they are commanded by God and come to us through the gospel.
- “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’... ” (Romans 1:16-17).
The Bible never commends the self righteous works of men. The Bible no where commends any man who establishes his own righteousness and decides for himself how he desires to serve God. Israel was guilty of this very thing.
- “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God,”
(Romans 10:3).
Since the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel then the righteous works essential to salvation are the works commanded in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For example the sinner is commanded in the gospel to believe. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved;” Mark 16:16. The sinner is commanded to repent. Jesus said, “unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” Luke 13:3. The sinner is commanded to confess the name of Jesus and then to be baptized.: Please see Matthew 10:32 and Luke 12:8. These steps of obedience avails the sinner of the grace of God, puts him into Christ, and makes him by adoption a child of God. Since each one of these steps come from the scripture they should not be regarded as the works of men but as the righteous works commanded by God. Once the sinner has become a child of God, he is then prepared to follow good works for the rest of his life. Please notice in the following scripture how the verse that teaches salvation by grace is followed immediately by a passage commanding good works:
- “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).
Certainly, we are saved by grace, for without the grace of God no man can be saved. Once the sinner is saved from past sins, he then is to follow good works as the passage above states, “created unto good works -- God has ordained that we should walk in them.”
A King Who Issues No Laws?
The following passages teach that we are living under the new testament law of Jesus Christ:
- “That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:14-15).
Can you imagine a king over a kingdom that has no laws? Jesus is king of kings and lord of lords, so how can it be that his subjects are governed without law?
When people are convinced that they are under no law, but entirely under grace, then they feel at liberty to devise and scheme for themselves what ever they feel is right in service to God. Therefore, the man-made idea that grace contradicts law and law contradicts grace has contributed mightily to religious division.
However, if we can show that the new testament law of Jesus Christ, does, in fact, include the righteous works of God, I think we can see how that we can become united if we will but walk in those things commanded.
The Law Came When the Church Was Established
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem,” (Isaiah 2:2-3).
The law of Moses was given in Mt. Sinai. Therefore, the writer cannot be speaking here about the law of Moses going forth from Jerusalem. The prophet is here speaking of a time when the house of God was going to be established. The church is called the house of God in 1 Timothy 3:15. Please notice that at the same time that the church was established, the LAW and the word of the Lord was to also go forth. Therefore, the it is implied that the church would be governed and guided by the law of God.
Other Passages Concerning Law
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death,” (Romans 8:1-2).
While the new testament law is a law which sets one free, it is still a law that must be obeyed. Through obedience to this law man is free from sin and its consequences. In the context of Romans chapters 7 and 8, he who obeys the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus is free from the frustrations and complication of the old testament law which came by Moses.
The big difference between the old law and the new law is that under the old law “a remembrance was made of sins again every year.” The old law had no provision for forgiveness. Not so under the new law! Through the sacrifice of Jesus, man can now receive total forgiveness for his past sins.
Paul says the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, “hath made me free.” Free from what we might ask? Free to choose for ourselves how we wish to serve God. Totally free from any kind of law?
Yes, one is free from the law of Moses. Yes, one is free from past sins and the guilt of past sins. Free to pick and choose for ourselves how we will worship and serve God? No, we are not free from the gospel law of Jesus Christ. Christ is king. Christ is Lord. Has he no rules, no law, by which to guide his subjects? Those who obey the gospel are translated into the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). When Christ promised to built the church, he also promised the keys of the kingdom to his apostles. Along with this promise he also stated, “whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This, I believe, is a promise concerning the binding of law, the rules and regulations of Christ’s kingdom.
- “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law,”
(1st. Corinthians 15:56).
We have the knowledge of good and bad, of right and wrong through the new testament law. As the writer says, “the strength of sin is the law.” Without the law we have no way, of knowing what sin is nor the penalty prescribed for it.
- “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does,” (James 1:21-25).
I know of no passage that teaches that we are under law any more plainly than does this one. The “perfect law of liberty” here must indeed be a reference to the law of Christ’s kingdom -- the gospel law of Jesus Christ.
Please notice also the phrase which mentions, “a doer of the work.” Does this not demand works. Indeed it does. In spite of the grace of God, Christians must do the work in service to God commanded in the perfect law of liberty.
- “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge,” (James 4:11).
- “Whosoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, sin is lawlessness,” (1st. John 3:4).
Without the new testament law of Jesus Christ, I would be unable to tell you what is sin and what is not sin. Without the law it would be impossible to determine right from wrong.
Please fill in the blanks with the correct word from the scriptures. (KJV)
Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who ______________, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is the _____________ of ______________ ___________ from faith to faith.”
John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may _____________ the ________________ of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the _______________ of God, that you ________________ in Him whom He sent”
1st. Timothy 6:14-15, “That you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the ______________ of _____________ and _____________ of lords.”
Romans 8:2, “For the _______________ of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
1st. Corinthians 15:56, “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the ______________."
James 1:25, “But he who looks into the perfect _______________ of liberty, and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer, but a _______________ of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
1st. John 3:4, “Whosoever commits sin also commits _______________."
If the statement is True, please circle the T. If the statement is false, please circle the F
T F We are saved by Grace.
T F We are saved by grace alone with out works.
T F We are saved by gospel obedience.
T F We are saved by works alone with out grace.
T F The Bible teaches grace, (God’s part) in own salvation, and gospel obedience (man’s part).
T F The grace of God has appeared unto all men.
T F Since the grace of God has appeared unto all men, then all men are saved.
T F All have not obeyed the gospel.
T F Those who refuse to obey the gospel will be lost in spite of the grace of God which has appeared unto all men.
Please look up the reference in your Bible and fill in the blanks.
Hebrews 5:8-9, “Though He was a ________________, yet He learned ______________ by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the ___________ of eternal _______________ to all who _______________ Him.”
2nd Thessalonians 1:7-9, “And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on ______________ who do not ______________ the ______________ of our Lord Jesus Christ; these shall be _______________ with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by _______________ youhave been saved through faith, and that not of _______________: it is the ______________ of ______________: Not of lest anyone should boast.”
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
If you have any comments or questions --- or would like the location and contact names of a congregation of the church belonging to Jesus Christ near you, please e-mail me at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or call 253-396-0290. Thanks Dennis Crawford, editor.
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