The Gift of Grace
Ephesians 2:7-10
We are saved by grace, through faith; this salvation is not from what we do, it is a gift from God; Salvation comes from faith and not by works, so that no one can boast about what they did to get to heaven.
James 2:14, 17
“Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. … So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”
Do these two passages seem to contradict each other? In the first passage, we read we’re saved by grace, and not by what we do. In the second, we read that faith without works is dead and useless. Hmmm. So which is the one by which we should live? Which one do we follow? Of course, you know I’m going to say both!
What I take away from these two scripture passages is that first of all, we are indeed saved by grace—God’s grace. We have the unspeakably generous gift of his grace in spite of our inherent sinfulness and propensity to demonstrate all the worse characteristics of humanity. Our faith that we have already received God’s grace and so are assured of a future with him in heaven is borne our by how we live our lives. We are not to ever think we have earned the prize because of our own doing. No, we have won it in spite of ourselves!
So how does the passage from James fit into the picture? We’ve already declared we trust and believe that God’s grace is unconditional—available merely by believing it is so. James addresses what should be our natural response to being saved by God’s grace. Think of the Good Samaritan, think of those from modern times who risk everything to help someone else or to take a stand on an important issue. Think about the person who holds the door for you when your arms are full. Think of allowing someone with 2 items go in front of you in the grocery store because you have a cart full.
We don’t have to be missionaries and live a life of poverty far from home in order to live out our faith. James tells us that it’s wonderful to have faith! God is pleased that you believe his promise! Acting upon that faith is a natural response to our gratitude and joy that we are saved! When we have faith, we cannot help but want to share it with the world!
So let’s review. We have this astounding gift of grace from God, freely given and offered without condition or cost. Our natural response to the gift is to share it with others. Not that we are not saved without sharing it, but that we cannot help but declare God’s unspeakable generosity and mercy. Faith without works means we haven’t fully grasped or embraced the gift of grace. It is so incredible that we just can’t wrap our minds around the why of it. There is no love on earth that equals God’s love for us. That’s the why. God made us to be his. He longs for us. He gave us a no-fail way to get to heaven so we could be with him at the end of time.
Psalm 51:15-1715. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Thy praise. 16. For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
My prayer today is that your faith is demonstrated by your works. And that your works cause others to ask you “why?”
Mary
Labels: faith, grace, praise, works
