JDL - Direction Thirty-two - Our response of faith part two

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephes. 2:10 (ESV))

There has always been a question concerning the relationship of faith, salvation and good works. There are those who say that a person is saved and is going to heaven by faith and the good works that they do; thus, good works are necessary for one to be saved. There are those who say that good works are not necessary to be saved; only faith is necessary. So, what is the relationship between faith and works and salvation?

Perhaps our problem is in our terminology? Certainly we cannot deny what Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, that is that we are saved simply and purely by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. We are saved by grace so that there is nothing we can do nor need to do on our part to be saved. We cannot boast in any part of our salvation. And at the same time there is the fact that Paul tells us in verse ten that we are to do the good works which God has prepared for us to do.

God saves us purely by His grace even while we are sinners in the midst of our sinning and fighting against Him. But God does not save us for nothing. He saves us and He gives us good works to do to give Him even more glory. And we understand that these good works which we do are not done from our own initiative but are done as the Holy Spirit stirs in us, works in us and does them to His glory.

There is a relationship between faith, works and salvation. The relationship is that in and of ourselves we can do nothing, at least nothing right or nothing that would account as anything of good in God’s eyes. Isaiah tells us that even our good works are as filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). It is God who comes and gives faith. And so we rejoice in the faith that He gives. Because of the faith that God gives, we cannot help but well up inside and want to do something for Him. This desire, also motivated by the Holy Spirit, is to do those things which God has for us to do, things prepared in advance by God and given to us by Him to do. These good works do not accomplish anything for us, at least not any type of salvation, but they are done in and through us as we are motivated by the Holy Spirit, strengthened in our faith and kept in faith until Christ comes again.

We might compare this relationship of faith, works and salvation to a parent teaching their child politeness. The parent gives the child a gift and then prompts the child, as such, “What do you say?” to which the child responds, “Thank you.” The child has done nothing to earn the gift and has responded only with prompting. Likewise, God gives us all His good gifts and blessings, faith, forgiveness, life and salvation, and then He even prompts us to give Him thanks and to show our thanks through our doing the good works which He prompts us to do.

As Jesus leads us, giving us faith, giving us forgiveness, giving us life and salvation, so He also leads us to ask, “What can I do?” “How can I respond?” He sends His Holy Spirit to guide and direct us into all things spiritually profitable for us, what we call our sanctification. Yes, He leads us into all truth as He directs us in our lives.

Think About
What do we have that did not in one way or another first come from God? What can we give to God that did not first originate from Him and was not moved by Him to return to Him?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You, not only for giving me life, but also for giving me faith, forgiveness and eternal life. Finally, thank You for stirring in me a thankful heart so that, prompted by You, I can rejoice and give You thanks and praise, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.