The Grace of Jesus Christ has been a dividing line within the Christian
"movement" for many centuries. The accusation has been made that "grace"
oriented ministries have given Christians approval to break moral law.
However, the fact is that Christians living with this understanding of
grace live no less "holy" than their sisters/brothers that rely on a works
oriented gospel. A works oriented gospel relies heavily upon human
effort, while a grace oriented gospel relies solely on the unmerited favor
of God. While some Christians spend much if not all of their time working
to secure their relationship with God others are spending an equal amount
of time enjoying and sharing their relationship with God.
Works is a point of confusion for many believers. The truth that God has
called the Church unto a life of holiness is a shared belief between both
groups, however the understanding of holiness differs greatly. For the
grace oriented Christian good works are a result of their relationship
with Christ and has no baring on their Salvation. While to the works
oriented Christian, Salvation can not be obtained without good works.
Are we saved by Grace or Works?
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith-and
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God-- Not by works, so that no
one can boast.
Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing
the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in
Christ Jesus that we may be
justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by
observing the law no one will be
justified.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness
could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galatians 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law,
because, the righteous will live by faith.
Galatians 5:4 If you expect to be made right with God by obeying the law, then you have turned away from Christ and His loving favor