Grace in Christ

Grace in Christ

Ephesians 2:8-10

One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is misunderstanding the relationship between grace and works. The fact is, a large part of God’s Word is dedicated to this very relationship.

Of course, many are afraid that over-emphasizing grace will produce lethargy, or inactivity - and impede spiritual growth. While others fear that emphasizing works undermines grace... that it diminishes the fact that we’re redeemed by Grace Alone. Paul dismantles both misunderstandings in our lesson today.

But hear what God’s Word actually says: “For it is by grace you have been saved… not by works.” The door is shut on works as the cause of salvation... but it’s immediately opened to works being the goal of salvation. “For we [were] created in Christ Jesus to do good works...”

Grace was never intended to abolish good works—it creates them.

Note that Paul begins not with what we do, but with who we are. “We are God’s handiwork.”

The word translated “handiwork” or “workmanship” (Greek: poiema) means a crafted work, a masterpiece. What God makes is perfect. It emphasizes God’s active, intentional creation.

This is foundational for the doctrine of regeneration:

We are not self-made into Christians; the work in us is done by Christ alone. We’re not renovation projects. God’s not just patching us up... We are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old is gone, the new has come.

As John Calvin said: “It is faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone.” Christ has done the work according to the plan of God that’s been set in place from the very beginning of time itself.

God does not simply forgive us; He re-creates us. Our salvation is not about God giving us a second chance—it’s God giving us a new heart, a new life, IN CHRIST.

The phrase “in Christ” is central to New Testament biblical (Reformed) theology.

We are not created for good works beside Christ, or after Christ, or above Christ, or below Christ, but IN Christ. You may be thinking; “that’s just linguistics or semantics!” But words matter!

Any good we do flows from our union with Christ, not from our own strength and determination. In fact, anything we do for Christ is the fruit of being joined into Christ by faith. Because outside of Christ, even our best works are dead works.

Didn’t Jesus Himself say?... “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Did you hear that? “Apart from me (Jesus says) you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Christ Alone is the source fo ANY good we do!

And that means: none of us could possibly be saved BY good works... rather, we’re saved FOR good works.

Our works (our deeds and efforts), no matter how good they are, are not the root of our salvation... our works are the fruit of our salvation. The by-product... the evidence of who and Whose we are.

The Westminster Confession of Faith stresses this in our theology as Presbyterians, when it says: “Good works… are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith.”

When you and I truly appreciate how important it is to understand the place of our works, and Who actually accomplishes the works... it guards us from two things:

It guards us from Legalism (like the Pharisees) — trying to earn God’s favor by obedience.

But it also protects us from what’s called Antinomianism — claiming grace and forgiveness while disregarding obedience. It’s basically saying I can do whatever I want, because I’m forgiven in Christ.

Listen: true grace always (ALWAYS) produces a changed life. As true grace leads us away from things that are displeasing to God. If there’s no desire for holiness, no growth in obedience, no love for God’s commands, then we may need to ask ourselves whether grace has truly been received.

Paul grounds our obedience in God’s sovereignty.

The good works we offer in the name of Christ, were:

*Prepared by God

*Planned before we ever believed

*Part of His eternal purpose

Providence dictates that our obedience is not accidental or improvised—it’s orchestrated by God Himself. And that’s what we call Good News that offer us more that just hope, it gives us assurance!

God did not redeem us and then leave us to figure life out alone. He prepares both the path before us, and the power to walk in it.

Such good news was the very reason Augustine prayed:

“Grant what You command, and command what You will.”

Our future, and every moment (and action) of that future, is in the sovereign hands of God - for those in Christ.

Of course, by “good works” the Bible is talking about the things we do in actually, physically “living-out” the life of faith, as the Redeemed of Christ. A steady, ongoing pattern of faithfulness.

Good works are not: Grandious displays of holiness that shine a spotlight on us... honoring us... and glorifying us.

Our works are daily, ordinary acts of obedience, in response to God’s grace, freely given us, in Christ.

Things like: Faithfulness, Love, Mercy, Integrity, Perseverance.

We strive to work for Christ... not to be seen by others, but to reflect the One whose workmanship, whose handiwork, whose masterpiece we are.

All of this is to remind us; it’s all about grace!

We are called by grace; we are saved by grace; we’re shaped by grace; and sent by grace.

God has redeemed us in Christ... freely, completely, and eternally—and He has called us to follow Him in obedience, as our efforts (carried out in Christ’s strength) bring honor and glory to Him.

That’s why we dare not ask, “Have I done enough to be saved?” That’s the wrong question. The ONLY thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that made it necessary.

We should always ask, “How can I walk today in the works God has prepared for me?” That’s the question for a redeemed people; a chosen people. That’s the question for the elect.

To the praise of His glorious Name.

Amen.