“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)
Salvation is purely by grace through faith alone in Christ. Salvation is a gift of God to all humankind. Salvation cannot be deserved, merited, earned, or bought by any performance or good work.
Paul clearly states this truth, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Romans 11:6 – NKJV
6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
We contributed absolutely nothing to our salvation. Christ is the author and finisher of our salvation. Christ is the one who worked and paid for our salvation by His suffering and death on the cross (Heb. 2:10, 12:2).
God expects and demands no work, contribution, or input from us for our salvation. Our salvation is not a reward or wages we deserve but a gracious gift we don’t deserve.
We are simply the recipients or beneficiaries of the salvation Christ worked and paid for with His precious blood (Rom. 4:4-5). Christ’s redemptive work is finished and perfect. Nothing is left to be done, modified, or added to it!
Although the Scripture presents salvation as a pure gift from God and not a reward or wages of our good works, it aptly presents good works as a fruit, evidence, or result of salvation.
The Scripture teaches that saving faith is not alone; good works always accompany it. Good works reveal faith!
James 2:17-20 – NKJV
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The believers are saved, recreated, or born-again in Christ for good works.
Apostle Paul aptly presents this truth.
Ephesians 2:10 – NKJV
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Titus 2:11-14 – NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
If good works are not necessary for our salvation, why should born-again believers become zealous for good works, be ready for every good work, or maintain good works?
Is it to earn God’s love, acceptance, approval, favor, or blessing, as many people think, preach, or teach today? Absolutely not! Why?
Because the born-again believers are no longer under the Law or the Old Covenant!
Under the Old Covenant, God’s dealings with men were based on their performance or good works. God’s blessings were contingent upon the performance or good works of the people.
God cut the Old Covenant with the children of Israel on their words or promises to do, perform, or obey all the words God had commanded them (Exo. 19:7-8, 24:3-8). The Old Covenant was performance-based or work-based!
On the contrary, the New Covenant was established upon better promises, not men’s but God’s promises. The New Covenant was not man-based but God-based; it was not a performance- or work-based covenant but a faith-based covenant (Heb. 8:6- 13).
Under the New Covenant, God is the one who promised to do, keep, perform, and fulfill the terms of the Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Eze. 36:20-36).
God’s dealings with New Covenant believers are not contingent on their performance or good works, but on their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Why?
Because the New Covenant is not work-based but faith-based. Your good works don’t earn you God’s love, acceptance, approval, favor, or blessings under the New Covenant!
Beloved, as a New Covenant believer, you don’t need to impress, influence, or woo God to love, accept, approve, favor, or bless you by your performance or religious works because God has completely and eternally loved, accepted, approved, favored, and blessed you in Christ Jesus (Jer. 31:3, Eph. 1:6).
Why should you be zealous for good works, be ready for every good work, or be careful to maintain good works?
Find out in the second part of this piece!
Prayer:
Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me purify my motives for doing good works so that I may do good works out of a pure motive, in Jesus’ name. Amen.