The Cost Of Grace

In the ages-long debate of are we saved by grace alone or are works an intergral part, the answer is yes.  "For it is by grace through faith you are saved - not by works. This is the gift of God so that no man may boast" (Eph 2:8-9).  However, Paul goes on to say, "For we were created by God in Christ Jesus to do the good works he prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10).

So, how does this make sense that we are saved purely by the grace or gift of God and yet we have have work that is expected of us?  Is salvation a free gift or not?  Again, the answer is yes.  Come again?  This is getting confusing. Yes, it can be a bit perplexing, which makes it easier to come down on one side or the other of the debate instead of wrestling for the truth.

Let's take a page of history to illustrate the truth of free gift and necessary works. God gave the Children of Israel the Promised Land but they had to go up and take possession: "See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them" (Deut 1:8).

The gift was free but there was work in taking possession of it. If you were given a wild mustang for free, you would still have to go get it, corral it, break it and take care of it. Ever been given a free puppy or kitten? Do you remember how much work that entailed?

What we are talking about is the combination of the free gift of salvation and the daily work of sanctification. Becoming saved Jesus is free, becoming like him requires much. Our lives must be altered greatly. Our way of thinking, speaking and acting must be transformed. It is a lifetime process of unpacking and taking possession of the gift. But more than worth the effort. 

We don't earn it, we receive it. But we can't just own it, we must live it. Therein lies the joing of grace and works. Jus' Sayn.