Salvation By Grace Vs Works - Scriptural Proof

Hello! It’s John and please allow me to say: Welcome & Thank You for Your Interest in Salvation By Grace Vs. Works for growing your relationship with God!

I am a Licensed and Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a man transformed by the Love, Power, Promises, and Word of God…It’s my mission to share insights into The Way, The Truth, and The Life, so that you may also enjoy the Fruits of the Spirit — Let’s Grow!!!

Introduction

Salvation By Grace Vs. Works is a fundamental topic in Christian theology. It addresses how believers are saved, the role of faith, whether human actions (works) can achieve salvation and the difference between God’s work and the work of humans.

This article will explore these concepts with clear explanations of relevant scriptural passages, showing that salvation is by grace through faith, and that works cannot and will not purchase salvation. Yet works, very definitely, have their place in the life of the Christian.

Good works flow from a deep, authentic relationship with God. They’re not the roots of the tree of good works, but the fruit produced because of the nourishing roots of Grace, Salvation, and Faith.
By understanding this, Christians can live out their faith in a way that honors God without falling into the trap of thinking they can earn His favor.
With that in mind, let’s look at these highly debated subjects, and focus on how scripture defines them.

1. Salvation Through Grace

Salvation through grace alone is a cornerstone of Christian theology. Understanding what it means and how it applies to our lives can seem overwhelming, but it’s actually quite simple. It’s about God’s unmerited favor towards humanity. Grace means getting something we don’t deserve and not getting those things we actually do deserve.

A. The Gift of God’s Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 3:24: and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
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.

Conclusion: Salvation is rooted in God’s grace; a gift that cannot be earned through works but that is freely given through faith in Christ. Something obtained through working, or something purchased is not, and cannot be, a gift.

B. Grace Overcomes Sin

Romans 5:20: The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
1 Timothy 1:14-15: Paul, self-described as the worst of sinners, highlights how grace was abundantly poured out on him despite his sins; demonstrating that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Titus 2:11: For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Conclusion: Grace is more powerful than sin. No amount of wrongdoing can outweigh the grace offered through Jesus Christ. Yet, grace is not a license to sin as we read in Romans 6:1-2. Works are not payment for sin, but an outpouring of the fruits produced by the Vine that is Jesus Christ, the Saviour (John 15:5).

C. Faith as the Response to Grace

Romans 10:9: Salvation is attained by faith in Jesus, not through the works of believers. Faith in the Resurrection and Lordship of Jesus Christ secures salvation; nothing else.
Galatians 2:16: Justification comes through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. It is faith that connects us to the saving grace of God.
Acts 16:31: Belief in Jesus leads to salvation, affirming that faith in Christ is the essential response to God’s grace.

Conclusion: Grace provides the gift of salvation and faith is how and why we receive it. Works play no part in earning salvation but are derived from salvation as the fruits produced in us by Christ (John 15:5).

2. The Role of Works in Salvation

As mentioned above, Jesus is very specific concerning who produces the work, where it comes from, and that any fruit or work is—and must be—done through him (John 15:5). Works are the product of salvation; not the debt owed or the price of admission to Heaven.

A. Works Do Not Earn Salvation

Galatians 2:21: If righteousness could be attained by works, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is pointless. Salvation cannot be earned through working toward or for it. It is the free gift of God.
Romans 3:28: For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Works do not contribute to salvation.
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 beginning of time,

Conclusion: Works are not the basis of salvation. God’s plan of salvation is founded entirely on grace, received through faith in Christ.
Again, it bears repeating—works are the product of salvation; not the debt owed or the price of admission to Heaven.

- It cannot be worked for because it would then be an exchange; a trade for the work done; not a free gift.
- It is not available for purchase. Christ did that through His Death and Resurrection so that it could be offered to us as a free gift.
- It is not a debt-owed payment. God does not owe anyone anything. All is owed to Him; what He gives, He gives freely.

B. The Proper Place of Works

Ephesians 2:10: While works do not save us, we are created in Christ to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to live out.
James 2:17: Faith without works is dead. Genuine faith is always accompanied by actions that reflect a transformed life.
Matthew 7:21-23: At Judgment, Jesus will send the doers—who tried to work their way into Heaven—away from Him, to spend eternity separated from God and all that is good.

Conclusion: Good works are the outcome of salvation through grace. They are the evidence of genuine faith, not the prerequisite for it.

C. Faith and Works Together

James 2:18: Faith and works complement each other. James contrasts works done from faith with those done without it. He challenges the possibility that true faith can exist without action. He asserts that good works are the manifestation and fruit of genuine faith.
Galatians 5:6: Faith expressing itself through love is what counts. It shows that genuine faith produces loving actions.
Philippians 2:12-13: Believers are called to work out their salvation (through God working in them), meaning that their faith should be reflected in how they live.

Conclusion: Salvation is by grace through faith, with good works growing as the fruit of a saving faith.
The distinction to be acknowledged here is the contrast between working for salvation and working because of salvation—the one is Godless and impossible, and the other is automatic when God resides within you.

3. So What Are Works?

A. Conviction by the Holy Spirit

One of the first good works in a believer’s life is the inner conviction delivered by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 16:8; 16-17).
Philippians 1:6 assures us that God, who began this good work in new believers, will carry it through to completion.
This inner prompting is evidence of God’s sanctifying work, revealing sin and leading to repentance (John 14:26).

B. Behavioral Change as Good Works

Conviction from the Holy Spirit leads to tangible changes in behavior.
Abandoning sinful habits and cultivating virtues like patience and kindness are–themselves–good works (Galatians 5:22-23).
These transformations reflect the fruit of the Spirit, marking the believer’s growth in Christ.

C. Mature Believers and the Blossoming of Good Works

As believers mature, the good works God begins within them blossom into outward expressions of His love and grace. The inner transformation grows into visible acts of service, compassion, and discipleship.
These outward works are not attempts to earn salvation but are the fruit of a life transformed by God’s grace (Philippians 2:12-13).
Mature believers–having been transformed from the inside out–express God’s love by serving others, demonstrating that genuine faith generates good works.

4. The Freedom of Grace vs. Legalism

The freedom obtained by finding and accepting the Grace of God breaks the binding chains of legalism and pardons believers for transgressions against the law—without grace through faith, there is no true and eternal freedom. There is only the full payment for the price of our sin to be paid by us because we could not accept the payment Jesus Christ made for us at Calvary.

A. The Burden of Legalism

Galatians 5:4: Legalism negates grace. If we rely on the law, we fall away from grace and lose the freedom Christ has provided.
Romans 4:4-5: If salvation comes through works, it is a debt owed, not a gift. Salvation by grace is incompatible with legalism.
Colossians 2:20-23: Human rules have the appearance of wisdom but lack the power to bring real spiritual transformation.

Conclusion: Legalism cannot bring salvation. Grace offers real freedom from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor through rules and rituals—which is impossible.

B. The Freedom Found in Grace

Romans 8:1-2: There is no condemnation for those in Christ. Grace sets us free from the law of sin and death.
2 Corinthians 3:17: The Spirit of God brings freedom, not bondage to legalistic practices. Grace leads to true liberty.
John 8:36: If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Jesus offers a freedom that legalism could never provide.

Conclusion: Grace liberates believers from legalistic practices, empowering them to live in the freedom of the Spirit, guided by love and faith.

C. Balancing Obedience with Grace

John 14:15: Love for Jesus leads to obedience. Obedience flows from a heart transformed by grace; it is not a means to earn salvation.
Romans 6:1-2: Grace is not a license to sin. Believers are called to live a life free from the domination of sin.
Philippians 2:12-13: We are called to live out our salvation, knowing that God is at work in us to fulfill His good purpose.

Conclusion: Grace empowers obedience. We obey not to earn salvation but as a response to the grace we have received, motivated by love.

5. Faith, Works, and Obedience, in the Teachings of Jesus

Faith, Work, and Obedience, flow from God’s Free Gift of Grace.

A. Jesus on Faith

John 6:29: The work of God is to believe in Jesus. Faith is the primary requirement for salvation.
Mark 11:22-24: Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith. Faith in God opens the door to His power and provision.
Luke 7:50: Jesus often highlighted that faith, not works, is the means of salvation.

Conclusion: Jesus consistently taught that faith is the key to salvation. Belief in Him, not human works, is the central requirement for eternal life.

B. Jesus on Obedience

John 14:21: Jesus connects love and obedience. Those who love Him will express it through keeping His commands.
Luke 6:46: Jesus criticizes those who call Him “Lord” but do not follow His teachings. Obedience is a sign of true discipleship.
Matthew 5:16: Jesus calls believers to live in such a way that their good works point others to God.

Conclusion: Faith in Jesus results in obedience to His commands. While faith saves, obedience is the natural response of a heart transformed by faith.

C. The Balance Between Faith and Obedience

John 15:4-5: Fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ. Good works flow from a life connected to Jesus.
Matthew 7:21: Verbal professions of faith are insufficient; true discipleship involves doing God’s will.
Luke 10:27: The greatest commandment is to love God and others, showing that true faith expresses itself in love and good works.

Conclusion: Jesus taught that faith and obedience go hand in hand. Faith is the foundation, but obedience and good works naturally follow.

6. Paul’s Teachings on Grace and Works

Paul’s experiences prove that his life, and the transforming power of God’s Grace, through Jesus Christ, are works of grace and that they are done and perfected by God; not of ourselves. It is God’s work, not our own, that accomplishes good.

A. Paul on Grace

Romans 3:24: Paul emphasizes that justification is a free gift of grace, made possible through Christ’s redemptive work.
2 Corinthians 12:9: God’s grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in our weakness.
Ephesians 1:7: Through Christ’s blood, we have redemption and forgiveness, according to the riches of God’s grace.

Conclusion: Paul consistently teaches that salvation is a work of God’s grace, freely given through Christ’s sacrifice; saving grace is the work of God, not our own. We cannot save ourselves.

B. Paul on the Law and Works

Galatians 3:24-25: The law was a guide until Christ came, but now justification comes through faith, not the law.
Philippians 3:9: True righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not from observing the law.
Romans 7:6: We are released from the law and serve in the new way of the Spirit, not bound by legalistic codes.

Conclusion: Paul teaches that the law cannot save. Salvation comes by grace through faith, and believers now live under the Spirit’s guidance in contrast to the law’s dictates.
The law clarifies and defines sin for us. It proves the need for salvation from sin and ourselves. It is solely the work of God to save us.

C. Paul’s Call to Good Works

Titus 2:14: Christ redeemed us to purify a people eager to do good works.

1 Corinthians 15:58: Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their work for the Lord, knowing it has eternal value.
2 Thessalonians 1:11: Paul prays for believers to be empowered to do good works that glorify God.

Conclusion: Good works are the natural result of salvation. While they do not save, they are vital evidence of a life transformed by grace.

Summary

The Christian life balances faith and works. While salvation is by grace, believers are called to live out their faith through good works, empowered by God’s grace.
The biblical teachings on Salvation by Grace vs. Works emphasize that salvation is entirely a gift of grace, received through faith, and works follow as evidence of that faith.
While works do not save, they play a vital role in demonstrating the authenticity of the believer’s faith and the transformative power of God’s grace.

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May God Bless & Keep You & Yours, Always,
JohnFounder of TruthsOfFaith.com