As a woman of a certain age, I’ve heard my share of sermons on “salvation by grace through faith and not by works.” In contrast, I’ve heard very few messages on the relationship between grace, faith and good works.
It’s almost as if we know good works is the answer to a riddle, but few of us know how to set up the question. We’re afraid if we do, we’ll get off-course and fall into the trap of Pelagianism.
But when one gets to be my age, one begins to wonder, “Now, what? I know I’m saved by grace. What am I to do with this abundant grace that God showed me? Surely it’s not something I receive and then keep for myself, and morever, I know it’s not an abstract proposition I reserve to pull out for my testimony of how God saved me.”
Today Greg Laughery at Living Spirituality posted a possible solution to the conundrom: Real Grace, based on 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15.
He says,
“It is essential for us to understand and live out the reality that God’s grace expresses itself in both being received and also in being given. This expression is rooted in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the reality of interchange between us and him, which takes place as a result of it. In turn this reality brings about an attitude of overflowing joy leading to the grace of generosity towards others. What kind of world makes this interchange possible? What kind of world makes it possible to give as much as one is able, even beyond one’s ability? What kind of world allows one to overflow in the grace of giving and to actually do grace? The world of the biblical text is the only one that both configures these truths, while at the same time it opens possibilities for us to take part in this world, and as we do so, to have our lives refigured through participating in receiving and giving God’s grace.”
I think I get it!. Grace refigures our lives and compels us to live generously from that abundance. Instead of nullifying grace, acts of generosity and good works actually flow from it! Grace provides the model for our response to itself–to act and do and give, and not merely receive.
As James 1:22 instructs us to handle the word of God, this whole passage in 2 Corinthians 8 tells us how to integrate grace, faith and works. To (wildly) paraphrase: “Do not merely receive grace, and so deceive yourselves. Give it away…”
Posted on September 17th, 2007 by Kathy
Filed under: Monday's Church, Spiritual Disciplines, Living by Faith
My view is pretty much in line with the Catholic one: We should try to ‘discern’ what God wants us to do in a given situation. This may or may not be what our emotions, desires or worldly-focused intellect tells us. It also involves sincere prayer and a willingness to be directed by the Holy Spirit. This process usually involves the total person–it’s not just ‘prophet playing’ as some people seem to fall into (e.g. “God told me to do it”). And I think discerning the right thing is different for each person, depending on our various God-given gifts and developed abilities. If we truly make the right choices, we should find out sooner or later… same thing if we don’t.
The LDS view, in my personal experience, is the best one at joining faith, grace, and works.
“It is by grace we are saved after all that we can do.”
No matter how much we “do” it is still grace that must be there to save us. Our works are necessary, but insufficient for salvation.
As Paul said, “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? May it not be.”
Grace and works act together like the blades on a pair of scissors. Neither one gets the job done without the other.
[…] Beyond Words adds: It’s almost as if we know good works is the answer to a riddle, but few of us know how to set up the question. We’re afraid if we do, we’ll get off-course and fall into the trap of Pelagianism. » Source […]
“It is by grace we are saved after all that we can do.”
I would disagree with that statement. Works do not get us “close” to salvation as LDS preaches. Salvation is completely 100% by grace, “not by works that no one should boast.” Works follow grace, as Kathy said. If we love Jesus, who saved us by his gracious sacrifice, we will do what he says.
You are right…after all the works we could every do…the Book of Mormon verse tells us that it is by grace that we are saved.
I’m not an expert on Mormonism, but I don’t think you are interpreting their theology correctly. They believe their works do get them closer to heaven. That is not biblical.
I’m no expert either, but being a member does help one to understand what the Church teaches. We believe works are necessary but insufficient for salvation. The Savior Himself said it, “If you love me, keep my commandments”.
I don’t understand the idea that you are saved by grace, not by works…but if you didn’t do the works, then it would mean you weren’t really saved because a saved person would do the works.
Read the Book of Mormon…the New Testament…it’s all over scripture [both ancient and modern], we are saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ AND our keeping of His commandments.
Well you got me thinking anyway.
Christian