Is it that we "do good works through grace" or that we "attain grace through good works"?

Question

It seems to me that it is the latter. At least that's how I read it. I don't think that "accepting" Christ as your savior is sufficient to save yourself from sin, but in trying to live like him you are "accepting" him into your life. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, that is how I see it.....if you are practicing his principles, you are "accepting" Christ. That was the very basis of his teaching, "why do you call me Lord, Lord and you do not do the things that I say?"

Answer 2

We gain God's Grace by Faith. All the good works you could possibly do without accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and thereby gaining God's Grace is the way to heaven. After we are saved, then the good works come in. The good deeds we do on earth are stored in Heaven for us, so we will have stars in our crown to lay at God's feet. I believe if you talk the talk, you have to be able to walk the walk. When you do your deeds, do them in the name of the Father, and keep it between you and Him. You will receive a blessing through it, and that will be stored in heaven for you.

Answer 3

Good trees bear good fruit. This means that a person, full of grace, will do good works. People without grace are also able to do good works, but they will not get grace by this way. Only those who get grace were elected by God, which was never debated before. The only question was when did God make this election: before or after the Fall?

Answer 4

First comes salvation - until then there is not relationship with Christ - until there's a relationship then there's no desire to do anything.

Think about the people around you that you claim as friends and family - if they did not love you and establish a relationship with you, would you be as willing to do what you do? Most likely not. It's not in our human nature as a general rule.

However, Christ is spirit and truth so we really can't compare to human nature, but everything we do for Him is because he first loved us.

Answer 5

Grace is a gift nor earned so that no one can boast about getting it for themselves. That's the hard part. Your salvation is free and knowing that somebody loves you so much to give you a gift like that can make you want to life for and like that person. 'Accepting' Jesus is about acknowledging that you can't live a perfect life by yourself.

Answer 6

This is where the concept of fruit comes in. Knowing and living in the grace of God compels me/us to do good works. We are satisfied and have enough to give.
Good works are a fruit of Grace.

Answer 7

I don't agree. Jesus DIED to wash you of your sin, and there is nothing you can do of your own accord to cleanse yourself but ask Jesus to do it for you. Good works are beautiful things to do, but don't tell God that his son's death wasn't enough, and that you think your good works supplement the redemption of the cross. You do not save yourself through works, only through belief in Jesus.

Answer 8

it is the first choice.....not the second as you think...

if you are not saved, your works are meaningless..

it is not your works that gets you saved either...

it is the action of the holy spirit in your life leading you to belief and acceptance of Christ...this is so we cannot say that our own work of acceptance was on our own credit, or due to our own independent decision.

this way god gets the glory for our salvation, not us.

Answer 9

Faith in Christ is sufficient to save anyone.

Answer 10

Do good works through grace. You don't save yourself dude. Read it again.