Grace VS Works Some people say we are saved by grace while others say we are saved by works. For some we need to first define what this means. First of all lets look at the dictionaries definition of these words. GRACE: (1) a: unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification. (from Websters tenth Collegiate Dictionary) GRACE: Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves. Grace is one of the key attributes of God. The Lord God is merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth . Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience as the source of help and with deliverance from distress. (from Nelsons Illustrated Bible Dictionary) WORK: (8) pl: performance of moral or religious acts (salvation by ~ s) WORKS: (1) in process of preparation, development, or completion. (from Websters tenth Collegiate Dictionary) WORKS: Acts or deeds. Gods works are praised often in the Book of Psalms and Christs works are thoroughly discussed in the Gospel of John . Mans works are either good or bad, and these two categories are often mentioned together . Christians are taught to display good works . (from Nelsons Illustrated Bible Dictionary) To say a person is saved by grace means this. No one by their own merits or good deeds will ever earn or gain eternal life. In other words no matter how good of a person you are you will never make it to heaven on that basis. Rather we are saved only by God’s mercy and his payment for or sins on the cross. Now to say that a person is saved by works means this. If you live a good clean moral life you will go to heaven when you die. This is basically saying that by trying to be obedient to Gods laws you have earned the right to be in heaven. Scripture clearly shows that we are saved by grace alone. There are bible verses that some have stumbled over believing they show we are saved by our works or good deeds. Therefore it is important that we consider these verses as well. Rom.3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. John 6:28-29 They said therefore to Him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Titus 3:5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit Now there are those that try to abuse grace. Some people think they can say a prayer accepting Jesus as their Lord and then live however they want. The idea is like buying fire insurance; onc
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 19:15:35 +0000
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