Part 4

Grace Offered; Faith Required; Gift Given 

     If we skimmed over the word "incomparable," Paul adds: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." 

     When the saved arrive in heaven, no one will stick out his chest and claim to be deserving. The Lord's grace is greater than all our "good works" put together. By grace he calls us to repentance and faith. With this call comes the work of the Holy Spirit, giving us the power and ability to respond to God, by his grace.

     Once we are "born again," Christ gives continuing grace to live the Christian life, resist sin and serve God - with good works. God's grace operates within committed believers both to will and to act according to God's good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13). From start to finish, salvation is by the grace of God. There are tons of scriptures for this.

     If the Lord wants to reward individuals for good works which he inspires by grace, he still gets the glory. 

     "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).     

Next: Peace by blood, not by law