The Place of Works: What Kind of Works?

by David Chadwick

There is a place for good works in the life of a Christ follower. But only if it is laid on the foundation of grace. Grace is the bedrock of our salvation. However, works must follow in the life of a Christian. But what kind of works should we do?

Take a moment and look at Matthew 25:31-45, the parable of the sheep and the goats. It is an end times parable that suggests some different acts of kindness that Jesus wants us to be about as we await his return.

First, notice that these acts that are done to “the least of these my brethren” are also done to Jesus (Matthew 25:40). This seems to imply that Jesus desires for us to be especially kind to our fellow Christians who may be hurting.

Galatians 6:10 appears to suggest the same principle. It says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Our good works aren’t just acts of kindness, they are opportunities to display the gospel.

As you see, while doing good to everyone is important, Christians are adjured to prioritize and show particular care for fellow Christians within “the household of faith.” Perhaps this reflects Jesus’s words in John 13:34 that the world will know that Christians truly belong to him by the way we love one another. If we are not walking in unity, the lost world remains confused by what they see.

More specifically, Matthew 25 lays out some more specific ways for Christians to show good works: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoners in prison. If you are looking for simple ideas, here is a great place to start.

Someone once said that the proof is in the pudding. That’s what Jesus is saying here. The proof that you really love him and really are one of his sheep comes by doing these good works. The proof that you are a goat comes by NOT doing these things. Your good works will follow your faith. They must if you truly love Jesus!

The Place of Works: Saved for Good Works

by David Chadwick

If we are solely saved by grace through faith, where then do works fit into the life of a follower of Christ? The message of Jesus is different from every other world religion in that it is a message of undeserving, radical, powerful grace.

James clearly states that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26). Is this a refutation of Paul’s teaching? Absolutely not! The Bible cannot contradict itself. Let’s take a moment to unpack this.

We are not saved by our works, but according to Scripture, our salvation is proved through our works. Works are the evidence that salvation has really and readily taken place in our hearts. Or said another way, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.

If someone truly has Jesus ruling and reigning over his or her life, Jesus will be conforming him or her more and more into the image and likeness of himself (Romans 8:29). As this happens, we become more and more like the man we follow. He changes us from the inside out. As we become more like him, we desire to live for him and yearn to see his life reflected in our life.

In addition to looking, acting, and speaking like Jesus, we will go around sharing the gospel with others just like he did. We will both declare and demonstrate his message. We will speak the hope to the hopeless. We will share the way to be saved. We will care for the needy. Be generous to those who do not have as much as we do. We will pray for the sick. Like Jesus, we will work hard in all we do to bring people into heaven. Our aim will be to see his will be done. His kingdom come.

We do all of this because we know the gracious gift of salvation that we have received and we want others to see that we belong to Jesus and live for his glory alone.

The Place of Works: Grace Through Faith

by David Chadwick

Are we saved by grace through faith or by grace, faith, and works? One cannot be justified, made righteous, and forgiven before God by both. Being saved by grace and being saved by your works are two diametrically opposed concepts. In fact, if you really think about it, faith is only available to us because of grace. Grace is a free gift that can never be earned. Salvation by works, stating that we must earn our salvation by our good merit, is actually the opposite of salvation through faith.

Abraham was clearly justified by faith in Genesis 15:6. Paul goes on to say in Romans 4:2 that “if Abraham had been justified by works he has something to boast about, but not before God.” Now look at Ephesians 2:8,9 which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Dear friends, if we could work our way into heaven, God would never hear the end of it from us. We would boast about it forever.

Why is it so important to wrestle out this tension when it comes to grace versus works? Well, it’s important because to those who believe it’s because of our works that we are saved, I always ask, “How good is good enough? How many good works are enough to get you into heaven? How will you ever really know?”

The truth is, there is no eternal security in a belief that works will save us. This belief creates a constant, incessant worrying this side of eternity. You will live in the swirling tension of wondering if you have done enough. And ultimately that will leave you wondering if you would actually go to heaven if you died right now. It’s an endless trap.

The best biblical example for the fact that it is grace, not works, that saves us is the thief on the cross. Jesus guaranteed him paradise in eternity immediately after he put his trust in Jesus. Jesus says in Luke 23:43, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

God’s rich grace and mercy is not dependent on our works. Salvation comes solely by grace through faith. This is the marvelous news of the gospel! I beg you, come and follow Jesus! Join me this week as we explore the place of works in a Christian’s life. But as we do, know that it can only have a place if laid on the foundation of Jesus’s grace.