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.