James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
Works and grace are kind of tricky but are tied together. The bible says it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. We can’t earn our way to Heaven, this is true and a relief because if it were so, I’d fail miserably because the bible says we all fall short of the glory of God. Grace is a gift from God and I thank him for that. The bibles definition of grace means free unmerited favor from God basically we don’t deserve it and haven’t earned it.
But what about works, are they important as this verse says, the answer is YES extremely important and the number one indicator you have accepted his Grace. It says without works, our faith is dead. A Spiritual zombie, not responding to the spirit. So let’s define works. I’m going to try and define this one myself because it’s important to understand it this way. As it pertains to this verse, “Works” are not something we do, but rather what God does in us.
That’s it. Very simple. Is God doing a work in you is the question. I think the response to his grace is a work, not works, but a work… but if it ends there than your faith is in jeopardy. To explain this verse in a nutshell… each obedient response to the spirit fulfills a “work” he is wanting to do in your life. The only works we need to worry about are those that God does in us.
Remember the bible says, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Until the day of Christ, that means after you received grace there is a period of time that work will be done in you until the day of Christ Jesus. He’s doing the work in you, all you have to do is respond, accept and be glad in it.
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