“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
The Foundation of Our Salvation
As we reflect on how works do not save us, it’s essential for us to grasp the foundational truth of our salvation. We know that salvation is not something we can earn through our actions but is solely a gift from God. It is by His grace, through faith, that we enter into the relationship that brings us eternal life. This perspective shifts our focus from a performance-based faith to a grace-filled acceptance of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. We are reminded that our confidence in salvation lies not within ourselves, but wholly in God’s goodness and mercy. It is a humbling yet freeing realization that we don’t need to strive for salvation but to receive it with open hearts. We must remember that our works cannot be the means of reaching heaven; instead, it is faith in Jesus Christ that lays the groundwork for our relationship with Him.
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
Romans 3:20
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” – Romans 3:20
Galatians 2:16
“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
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginnings of time.” – 2 Timothy 1:9
The Purpose of Our Good Works
As we talk about the role of good works in our faith journey, it is important to realize that good works are not the path to salvation but a response to it. Once saved by grace, we are called to express our faith through our actions. This doesn’t mean that works are worthless; instead, they become a beautiful overflow of our relationship with Christ. The good deeds we engage in are motivated by love and gratitude for the grace we’ve received. We should let our light shine in the world, not to earn our way into heaven but to reflect God’s love and goodness. Our works are a testimony of our faith and a way to serve others, sharing the love of Christ through our actions.
James 2:26
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Faith as Our Assurance
In the knowledge that Christ is our Savior, we find assurance in our faith. It’s not about the weight of our good deeds but surrounding our hearts with the confidence that Jesus’ death and resurrection have secured our place in heaven. We find rest in believing that our faith connects us to God’s promise of salvation, which relieves us from the constant pressure of earning favor through good acts. This assurance leads us to deeper intimacy with God, understanding that it’s not about what we do, but who we trust. Our faith is our greatest treasure, as it firmly establishes us in our relationship with Christ.
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” – John 3:36
Acts 16:31
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” – Acts 16:31
1 Peter 1:8-9
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:8-9
Christ Alone, Our Savior
Focusing on Christ alone assures us of our path to salvation. We acknowledge that our efforts in performing good works are not what define our salvation. Rather, it is through Christ’s sacrifice alone that we are redeemed. We understood that Jesus alone bore the consequences of sin, enabling us to receive grace and mercy from God. This realization should fill our hearts with joy and gratitude as we accept our relationship with Him. Practicing faith in Jesus Christ alone allows us to let go of the fear of inadequacy, knowing that He has completed the work for our salvation.
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6
Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
Romans 5:1
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
Colossians 1:14
“In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:14
The Call to Humility
When we understand that good works do not save us, we recognize the importance of humility in our relationship with God and others. The truth that we are not saved through our deeds calls us to approach life with a sense of gratefulness. Humility keeps us grounded and helps us view others with love and compassion, knowing that we are all in need of grace. We are invited to give rather than earn, serving others in a humble spirit as an expression of our faith. A humble heart acknowledges that we are all recipients of God’s grace, and this camaraderie fosters strong bonds with those around us.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Proverbs 22:4
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
The Assurance of God’s Love
Ultimately, it is God’s unchanging love that saves us, not our works. This unwavering love invites us to rest in His grace, releasing the burden of wanting to be perfect or feeling unworthy. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that His love covers our imperfections. Each day, we can grasp the significant truth that our worth is rooted in God’s love rather than our performance. This understanding allows us to thrive in faith, embracing the freedom that comes from being loved and cherished by our Creator. Our worthiness comes from our relationship with God, not our actions, and that is a comforting thought.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
John 15:9
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” – John 15:9
1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Final Thoughts
As we learn about the concept that works do not save us, we understand the heart of our faith. It’s not about the deeds we perform or how flawless we can be. Instead, it’s about genuinely accepting God’s grace and recognizing the sacrifice that Christ made for us. The Bible emphasizes faith, assuring us that we are saved through belief in Jesus alone. This understanding brings comfort and allows us to express our faith through good works that honor God and serve others. We can celebrate God’s love and grace as we remain humble and grateful for the gift we’ve been given. We encourage you to explore more topics about faith and love in God such as 1 John 5:1 and 1 John 3:24. May we continue to grow in His love and grace, confident in our place in His kingdom.