I’m writing this blog as a follow up to the earlier law & grace blog. So there is no confusion.
Whose Work Are We Saved By?
Our own?
No, Christ’s work on the cross!
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
It’s God’s work through us not ours so we can’t boast! We truly are saved by grace:
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
See “He who began a good work in us”. God does not share His glory. He made us who we are in Him! (Our works/righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) and apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5))
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
God says to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Because we all have different walks, and are all shown different things at different times as the work, the likeness of Christ changes us! As an example a smoker does not go to hell, but smoking is bad a sin against the body, the temple of the holy spirit. Christians should let God deal with them about it and heal them and deliver them. We need to continue to show grace and love to them! It’s not our job to change anyone? and can we really?
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
The previous verse…
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God holds us all to different standards. That’s an example right there. And grace abounds! “in every good work”
Again Christ’s work. What is Christ really changing? Ultimately our heart. And our love for Him and our love for His children. The bible explains man’s heart and desires to be wicked through and through that is prior to Christ coming into our heart!
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
Christ is the perfect example of love!
1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Are not babies even welcome until heaven? Of course! Even spiritual babies! Their faith in Christ brings them in (Ephesians 2:8-10), just their rewards in heaven may not be as great! We are held accountable by what we know.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
It’s another subject for another blog, but the Judgment Seat of Christ is for all believers. The white throne judgment is another judgment for unbelievers!
Matthew 18:3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
He was talking as an allegory the innocence and the faith of a child!
Again!:
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
