I'd suggest that it is God's grace that "makes" one a Christian. The good acts follow as the manifestation of that grace, bringing honor to God. Works are the result of, not the cause of, salvation.
I'd suggest that it is God's grace that "makes" one a Christian. The good acts follow as the manifestation of that grace, bringing honor to God. Works are the result of, not the cause of, salvation.
Well said. Another way is, the fruits of the Holy Spirit thriving in the heart of a Christian. A Christian with faith alone and no works is weak. But the works don’t make him a Christian.
And there is no conflict between this passage from James and Ephesians 2:8, quoted in this comment thread by Robin Greer!
From Galatians 2:20 -- "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
The works are done in Him, and we credit Him! Like the tax collector and not the Pharisee, we have no self-righteousness. There are those who would call one a Pharisee for preaching righteousness. These don't understand the gospel.
Preaching to the choir, TriTorch, for the sake of any readers of this thread.
Works are the fruit not the root. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
I'd suggest that it is God's grace that "makes" one a Christian. The good acts follow as the manifestation of that grace, bringing honor to God. Works are the result of, not the cause of, salvation.
Well said. Another way is, the fruits of the Holy Spirit thriving in the heart of a Christian. A Christian with faith alone and no works is weak. But the works don’t make him a Christian.
All ponies are horses, but not all horses are ponies...
"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." —James 2:24
And there is no conflict between this passage from James and Ephesians 2:8, quoted in this comment thread by Robin Greer!
From Galatians 2:20 -- "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
The works are done in Him, and we credit Him! Like the tax collector and not the Pharisee, we have no self-righteousness. There are those who would call one a Pharisee for preaching righteousness. These don't understand the gospel.
Preaching to the choir, TriTorch, for the sake of any readers of this thread.
Exactly!
Exactly, His Grace is why.
Works are the fruit not the root. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Without transformation through sanctification it’s not possible to do any good “works”
Jesus was asked “what must we do to be doing the works of God” He replied, “this is the work of God that you believe on the One whom He has sent”
Believing is hard spiritual work.
Whence Mark 9:24 ... "I believe; help my unbelief."
I have never suffered from unbelief, thank God. No matter what, He is there, always and forever.
I love that verse so much.
As it should be for it offers the ultimate reward.
Thank you.