Grace Works

Even people who know better do it.

They quote Ephesians 2.8,9 often; but rarely…if ever…go on to the tenth verse.

Why?

They are scared of a five-letter word:

w o r k s

They are all about God’s part; and to some extent I get that.

But His part leads to our part…and it not a singular “our,” because it is God who works in us both to desire to do and to do His good pleasure. (see Phil 2.13)

And Ephesians 2.10 reminds us, instructs us, commands us: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (bold added)

Thank God that salvation is a gift…but it is a gift loaded with the Spirit of God, who equips us with the desire to do and the power to do His good pleasure.

I’m reading a great book by Mark Batterson (Play the Man).

These words sparked this post:

“Phillippians 2.12 provides a good guideline for this:

work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

The irony of this statement is that salvation cannot be earned by good works;

it can only be received as a free gift.

But once you receive the gift of salvation,

you have to take it to the gym and work it out.”

Grace works. Not as “well” as we’d like it, not as quickly as we’d like it, certainly not as “easy” as we’d like it.

But…

Grace works.