So grace-alone is not enough? scripture god requires good works to demonstrate what is in our hearts?

Question

And in the absence of good works, confession and faith is only superficial, not substantial.

So why say 'by grace alone are you saved'?

Answer 1

Grace alone is enough.

When you are saved good works will happen. They are a natural product of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 2

We are saved by grace alone, the good works that are required are the works we do on our own lives and on others. Not just being a nice guy, but by giving to others when you have nothing to give. If you only have a dime to give, then give it freely and with joy, if you are troubled by a bad habit you have, then you must work on changing it. This is the work it is speaking of, the work of the heart. Once you have Christ in your heart and you are saved, it doesn't give you the "freedom" to go sinning again, instead you should be a light to the world, showing others that no matter what is going on in your life, your faith in Christ keeps you in joy and peace because you know that Christ will straighten it all out.Confession to and faith in Christ are very substantial, unless your a catholic, then it is superficial.

Answer 3

Good works are the result of not a requirment, of salvation. We are saved by grace, through faith. Side note. Baptisim is clearly taught in the new testament. It is not, however, a work, but an answer of a good conscience toward God.

Answer 4

Your actions do have a lot to say about yourself and where you're headed in this life (for good or bad). But in order to return and live with our Heavenly Father no matter how good we are, we still fall short because we're not perfect (it's very humbling to know we need our Savior), no one is perfect on this Earth. So after all of our trying to follow Jesus and be the best we can be, we then are saved because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

No one would be able to perform a good work (or have faith) if not for grace. Grace alone saves us. However, grace is not forced on us - we have to accept it and not resist it. Grace enables us to obey Christ (works) and believe in Christ (faith).

You are correct that faith without works is dead.

Answer 6

You have it reversed.
We are saved by GRACE alone and that comes by FAITH Alone.

We are not however saved to sit and twiddle our thumbs.
We are saved to DO good works.

There are several good books on the topic. One that comes to mind is By Faith Alone by R.C. Sproul. He has an excellent daily program on many Christian radio stations or on the web - Renewing the Mind.

Answer 7

To me it means that grace alone will save you, butit doesn't stop there. To really reap the benefits from it, you have to keep on going with the good works, not because you have to, but because you feel the need inside you to glorify what God has done for you.

Answer 8

St. Augustine added the word alone. I think he meant that while good works are the hallmark of a good person, he believed grace was required to get to heaven.

Answer 9

Because that is what scripture says. Good works demonstrate your love and gratitude for what Jesus has given you. If you are an ungrateful sod, then you are not living out your faith.

Answer 10

"why isn't Scripture on my own sufficient for us?" -- it isn't in any respect "scripture on my own." Theology continuously accompanies it. Theologies are held via businesses referred to as denominations in the Protestant international, Catholicism and its editions, or fringe communities/cults like Jehovah's Witnesses. Your question isn't, won't be able to be for JWs on my own. in case you've faith a particular way about the Bible, then you extremely likely are going to face arm in arm with some crew of human beings retaining, "this i trust." that is not any longer a nasty area of position self belief in a fashion that many human beings trust. It defines you. examine the JW solutions, and also you'll see who they're.