Reading: Ephesians chapter 2
Spotlight: Ephesians 2:8-9

Which is it?

I am constantly struggling in my mind with the concept of faith vs. works. If I am saved by faith and not by works, then why are works so important? Perhaps the key is in the grace. Grace is a word I use a lot without really taking much time to ponder the deep meaning of it. I looked in the dictionary and found all the definitions of it but the best one I found was the one that defined grace as the unmerited favor of God. We have not and cannot do anything to earn God’s grace. He gives it freely. If you can walk in that reality then, the rest might come a little bit easier.
If there is absolutely nothing I can do to earn God’s favor but He chose to give it freely then my works should flow from a heart of gratitude. I think its no coincidence that yesterday I heard someone say in a teaching that a heart of gratitude is the best attitude to have as a believer. The knowledge that nothing is earned, everything is a free gift from God because there is nothing I could do to earn it, every day of life, every breath I breathe, every paycheck I think I earn myself, All my material possessions, my car, I have earned none of it. It is all a gift from God for me to steward in pursuit of him and to accomplish his will for my life. James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from above.
According to Ephesians 2:8 it’s by grace through faith that I am saved. So, the only thing I have to contribute to my salvation is my faith in Jesus’ completed work on the cross. So if faith is the only contribution I can make where do the works come in? If I am saved by grace through faith, why do I need to do anything else? Why can’t I just live my life any way that I want to? James 2:18 says “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” Works are (or at least they should be) the natural extension of our faith. It goes back to the heart of gratitude. We don’t serve God and labor for the kingdom because we have to; we do it because we get to. We get the honor and privilege of being called His servants. It goes back to the grace thing.
For example: Have you ever had someone you barely know, like a co-worker give you a birthday present unexpectedly, something really nice. Aren’t you instantly filled with a sense of wanting to do something for that person back? In your mind you tell yourself, “Wow, they didn’t have to do that. I can’t wait until their birthday, I‘ll get them something really great!” You are motivated by a sense of gratitude to do something because you expected to receive nothing. How much more so should this be with our heavenly father who withholds from us no good thing (Psalms 84:11).
Conversely, we can expect that if we are struggling with an ungrateful heart it is simply because have set up a lot of expectations of what we feel God owes us. This comes from two things: the first is blindness to our own sinfulness and the second is self assurance based on our works. Ephesians 2:9 says, “Not by works so that no one can boast.” So, as we go through our lives and pursue deeper intimacy with God and seek to serve Him with all of our hearts. Let us work diligently to maintain the attitude of gratitude and not put faith in our works. But Serve under the constant realization that it is our greatest honor and privilege to serve the Lord.

How to pray this scripture:

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your unmerited favor. Thank you that because of your completed work on the cross I can have access to your throne of grace and be able to accept your free gift of eternal life. I pray that I would do all that I do with a sense of gratitude. That I would walk in the understanding that there is nothing I can do to earn your love. I pray that my works would be an extension of my faith and a natural expression of my live for you. I come against my own pride and tendency to place value in my works. I surrender all my gifts and abilities to you today and I will serve you with a grateful heart. Thank you for your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Other Scriptures to read:

Psalms 84:10-12
Matthew 19:16-17
Romans 9:31-33
Hebrews 14:15-16
I Peter 1:13
I Peter 5:5

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