Grace or Works?
Obviously, God redeems men. No efforts of men can redeem men.
Yet, Grace and Works walk hand in hand.
For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8
Keynote: The works of God through Christ redeemed man.
Our actions(works) determine our rewards from God
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth he not know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? Proverbs 24:12
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:13,14
When a man chooses to follow Christ good works should follow
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17,18
Knowing how to do good works for the Lord
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:17
Suggestion: Listen to a Godly pastor and observe his and the congregation's actions.
When you are saved, you accept God's Grace given to men through His Son Jesus.
You then become part of the elect (the few that have accepted Jesus as Lord).
It is not enough to be "saved" and sit and do nothing.
Even so faith, if its hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:17
Freely we have received. Now we must freely give. Matthew 10:8
Let's Talk More About Grace...
Excerpts of Grace usages:
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Encarta Online Encyclopedia says:
grace [grayss ] noun (plural graces)
1. elegance: elegance, beauty, and smoothness of form or movement
2. politeness: dignified, polite, and decent behavior She fended off queries with her usual grace.
3. generosity of spirit: a capacity to tolerate, accommodate, or forgive people
4. CHRISTIANITY prayer at mealtimes: a short prayer of thanks to God said before, or sometimes after, a meal
5. FINANCE See grace period
6. pleasing: a pleasing and admirable quality or characteristic (usually plural)
7. CHRISTIANITY gift of God to humankind: in Christianity, the infinite love, mercy, favor, and goodwill shown to humankind by God
8. CHRISTIANITY freedom from sin: in Christianity, the condition of being free of sin, for example, through repentance to God
Grace is... The Good News. Grace is the Gospel. Grace is that God sent His only begotten Son to earth to live, to die, and to live again. Grace is when Jesus paid for all sin and made a way for all individuals to escape the wrath of God. Grace is meritted to Christ and Him alone. To Him be the glory forevermore.
When you are saved, you accept God's Grace given to men through His Son Jesus.
Grace cannot be meritted for Christ and He alone was worthy to merit such rich a Grace. Christ's life and shed blood found merit in the eyes of the Heavenly Father. We cannot win this grace for we are unworthy. We cannot win this grace for their is only One who has won it, Jesus the Christ.
The Grace of God.
God's Riches At Christ's Expense
Jeremy Brown 2002
Click Here for The Gospel According to Grace by Chuck Smith
Click Here for Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith