Faith , Grace and Works?

Question

This is a neverending debate, constantly disputed by Christians and others of faith as to how salvation is achieved, and how to live as Christians.

Through your understanding of the text of the Bible, whether you believe in God or Christ or not, how do you feel this should be interpreted by those who embrace the Bible as God's word?

Answer 1

All I can do is speak for myself.
The grace of God came into my life when I least deserved it, when I least expected it, and at a time when I didn't even know it existed.
I was saved, by grace, through faith, and that not of myself, it was the gift of God.
That was 36 years ago, and to this day I am still seeking more and more ways to show God my gratitude, by serving Him through whatever means He allows me. I reckon laying down my life and serving Him the highest privilege a person can be granted. This too is a gift, to work for Him who died for me.

Answer 2

Look at the list of WORKS that are of the list Jesus said aren't enough to get into heaven..
1. prophesied in Thy name
2.cast out devils
3.in Thy name done many wonderful works.. I can only suppose that these would be great things like giving to the poor or/and living by the commandments.
Still what does Jesus say about people who do these things?
"I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Kinda shoots the bottom out of works salvation, don't you think.
James tells us something telling about what he sees is the reason for works. Seems James could see the hearts of his fellows and looked for works to show him you have faith.. Do you think God needs to see works to know if our faith in real? I agree with James completely. How do I know if your are saved unless I see the works manifesting your faith.. In God's eyes we are saved by His grace through faith. Even the faith isn't form us it's a gift form God. Not of works so that no one can boast. Then after He has recreated us as His child He gives us good works to walk in... Salvation is 100% by faith in Christ... Jim

Answer 3

The best Bible verse to describe this is:"God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this, it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We are not saved by good works because we can't do them all the time, continually from the time we are born until our deaths. Even if we started now, it's too late, we already blew it, and God wants perfection. He said that if we aren't perfect, we die.

Jesus came and lived a perfect life, died, and since He was perfect, death couldn't hold Him. God rose Jesus from the dead. We, according to verse 10 are created "anew IN Christ Jesus" -- we who believe (have faith) are IN Christ, and He is IN us. Just as He will be allowed in heaven, so will we since God sees us "through" Christ. And now that we are in Christ and He is in us, HE makes it possible for us to do the good things (works) God had planned for us long ago.

So: faith leads to God's grace and the ability to do good works. However, good works do not lead to either faith or grace. He does it all, we respond with the good works as we trust God, the Son and Holy Spirit to do them through us.

Rhonda F.

Answer 4

Why would you care or even ask those who do not believe in God or Jesus how they think you should interpret the bible? Wouldn't that be like asking a blind person how we should see? I do not believe the bible to be infallible. Every word spoken by Jesus inside the bible or out, when confirmed by The Holy Spirit is infallible. Our greatest obstacle is knowing how to tell the difference between the thoughts inspired by the unholy spirit from those of The Holy spirit.

Answer 5

Good question. For those who embrace the Bible as God's word, a study of his word reveals that salvation is given by the Grace of God, not by our works. It is still important to note that faith is neccesary on our part. Pay close attention to Ephesians 2:8 which states that it is by grace through faith that we are saved.

Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

2Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Answer 6

This is how I was taught and how I believe:

There is a distinction to make in the bible which is unfortunate.
1) Paul's version of being saved by grace through faith:
2) James' version of salvation by works.

I am aware that many think that James had the right way to think about faith, and that it required works in order to carry out salvation. I am aware of the Amish and also of a particular Nazarene who believe that.

What I am also aware of is that Paul had it right, and that James, the one who wrote the Letter of James ( apparently), had it wrong.

In my opinion which I believe is substantiated in Acts 15, 21, and Galatians, James was a legalist. He could not communicate the experience of having God's Spirit working through an individual after the conversion of a believer. He thought that works were to be acted out as he apparently had been acting them out in the ceremonies of the temple through the Laws of Moses found in Judaism.

To further the error of James, he illustrated his error by reconstructing the event of Abraham. Saying that it was by works that Abraham was God's friend. James failed in that attempt for those who really know what faith is.

Paul on the other hand would do two different things; one which I find genius and accurate to the teachings on faith by Jesus, and the other irritating beyond my ability to fathom it.

Paul preached the Gospel correctly, to the credit of God who taught him. But whenever James was around him, he would fold into the habits of those who lived by the Law. Peter then was not the only one to be blamed!

What God wanted us to do is trust Him, and the promise was to send His Spirit to dwell in us. As we say, " Glory to God" in the correct manner: With meaning and knowledge, the credit belongs to Him because His Spirit guides us to good works.

As I perceive that you are a teacher or student of sorts
( perhaps of English), I would apologize for my sentence structure and the length and focus of my argument. I have much to write on this subject, but I have all these things to do today and must leave.

Answer 7

"Regarding the debate about faith and works: It’s like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most important."
-- C.S. Lewis

Because of the fall came death and sin. Because of Christ comes resurrection (for all) and forgiveness (for those who repent). This is the grace he has given us. We are also required to perform works, just as he did, following the commandments and doing right. We do this because of faith in him. By grace are we saved, but only after doing all we can do.

Answer 8

"Not everyone that saith unto me 'Lord Lord' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in Heaven."

How much plainer?

Baptists and similar types have found a method they like better, it's called spontaneous salvation: You kneel at the preacher's altar, and do the special incantation, and say 'Lord Lord' and you are saved; and the beauty of it is, you can still sin.

Plus, on Judgment Day you have a Holy Bypass, and proceed directly to Heaven.

.

Answer 9

i was going to quote the bible, but ''truth'' beat me to it. it's right there in black and white. true, we debate it a lot, but i really don't understand why.

you should read up on the five solas of martin luther, john knox, ulrich zwingi, and john wesley sometime. it might help you to understand this a little better.

sola scriptura
sola fide
sola gratia
solus Christus
soli Deo gloria

Answer 10

Works are required by God after accepting Him as our Savior, but we only get salvation through what He did not through what we did.