19th October 2023

Works

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIVUK)

The Bible distinguishes between different types of works. There are works of the flesh, works of the law, works of God, and good works. Often these are discussed in the Bible in relation to faith and salvation.

According to Paul, the acts (works NKJV) of the flesh are obvious: ‘… sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.’ He then warns that those who permanently want to live this lifestyle, ‘…will not inherit the kingdom of God.’ (Galatians 5:19-21).

The works of the law are the actions commanded in the first five books of the Old Testament to fulfil the Mosaic Law and include circumcision, Sabbath keeping, eating ‘clean’ foods and other ceremonies that are powerless to justify us in the sight of God. As the apostle Paul wrote, ‘…know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.’ (Galatians 2:16).

God’s works are revealed throughout the Bible and cannot be enumerated in this short study. Although redemption and salvation are a trinitarian work, the Bible focuses on the work of the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. In the words of Jesus: ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ (John 6:29). On the eve of his death Jesus said, ‘I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.’ (John 17:4). It is only by the work of God through Jesus that redemption and salvation are possible. 

Probably all Christians agree that good works are necessary but debate whether they are the outward sign of inward saving faith, or whether they contribute to, or maintain salvation. 

To affirm that works contribute to salvation is to deny the sufficiency of God’s grace. 

The construction of the original Greek in Ephesians 2:8 means that all that’s contained in the statement ‘by grace you have been saved, through faith’ is a gift of God. In other words, grace, salvation, and faith – all are a gift of God, and not by works. As the GCI statement of beliefs asserts – salvation is given by the grace of God, and experienced through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by personal merit, or good works.

Prayer
Father, thank you for the good news of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Study by Eddie Marsh

About the writer:
Eddie Marsh attends the Sheffield congregation of Grace Communion International.

Local congregation:
Please email the local congregational contact (see below) for information about the Sheffield congregation’s meeting venue and time. 

Local congregational contact:
Email: sheffield@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church