15/01/2026
Salvation is by Faith + Works through GRACE
The three components of salvation are Faith, Work and Grace. It is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without Faith(Hebrews 11:6). Faith without works is dead faith (James 2:26). Without Grace (which was provided by the death of Jesus Christ) there is NO access to the Father, Jesus is the ONLY WAY (John 14:6).
But Paul says salvation is not of works, really? Let us hear what Paul says:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Contradiction? Nope! Paul was not saying that works is not necessary for salvation. Paul argument here is about “works” that are NOT authorized by God because this kind of works will make people to boast or pride themselves about their salvation. So, there are2 kinds of works – works authorized by God and works that are not authorized by God.
Jesus said in John 6:29
John 6:29 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, This IS THE WORK OF GOD, that YE BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent.
(in other words, God wants people to HAVE FAITH on Jesus. Having faith on Jesus means to obey everything that He commanded us to do; that is the kind of works that God has authorized for us to do that will give us salvation).
John 3:36 (KJV)
He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (this verse is very self-explanatory, without faith on Jesus means without eternal life but eternal wrath in Hell and you cannot say you believe without obeying the Law of Christ)
Continue reading what Paul says in Ephesians 2 down to verse 10:
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ORDAINED that we SHOULD WALK IN THEM.
It is very clear in verse 10 what Paul wanted to say – we are to do the works that are ORDAINED by God. The phrase “we should walk in them” means these good works which God has ordained should be our parameter and standard in our lives because Christians are the workmanship of God!
Those who charged that Paul is preaching salvation is by FAITH ALONE are putting words on Paul’s mouth that he didn’t say!
This is what Paul says: Romans 2:13 "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the DOERS OF THE LAW will be justified" (I guess everyone knows the meaning of the word DOERS here).
If we don’t obey the Gospel we have rejected God’s gift of salvation and are lost:
2 Thessalonians 1:8 (KJV)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The word "OBEY" implies work on man’s part.
Under the New Testament to do the "works" commanded under the Law of Moses is NOT authorized by God at this point in time in the Christian age.
Example of the kind of WORK that is NOT COMMANDED TO DO BY CHRISTIANS is the WORKS OF THE LAW OF MOSES:
Romans 3:20, ESV: For by WORKS OF THE LAW no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Paul was so determined that ALL Christians should KNOW that to bind the Old Testament with the New Testament of Christ is a grave offense, this will result in spiritual adultery. - (Romans 7:1-4)
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified BY THE LAW have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul was like saying, “why do the commandments under the Law of Moses when you are not under of that Law anymore, do you want to boast?” There are WORKS to do under the New Law of Christ and these are the WORK OF GOD – to BELIEVE IN THE SON: John 6:29 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, This IS THE WORK OF GOD, that YE BELIEVE on him whom he hath sent.
The work of God refers to the commandments of God UNDER THE LAW OF CHRIST that we ought to do, if we obey these we will be saved: Hebrews 5:9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all WHO OBEY HIM.
Thanks for reading, God bless!
