The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum God's favor

Cal Gal,

I think you have stated this marvelously in regard to God's (Spirit's) working "in us is beautiful and it reflects His glory." AMEN to that!!

However, it is not exactly true that our good works have nothing to do with our salvation. Indeed, they are NOT contributory to our justification... that is indisputably true and anyone who says otherwise is basing their salvation partly or even wholly upon works. But our good works are inextricably bound TO our justification for they are evidences of it. Without good works there is no salvation (cf. Rom 6: Heb. 12:14; Jam 2:26). Paul makes it crystal clear that our justification, which is BY grace and THROUGH faith (Eph 2:8,9) is monergistic, aka: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide and Solus Christus. But... he then quickly adds "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (v. 10) In fact from all eternity, it was God's loving purpose to have "chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him" (Eph 1:4). And again, it is written, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son," (Rom 8:29). Then there is this most instructive text, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil 2:12b,13)

So, as we can see, sanctification infallibly flows out of justification 'proving', evidencing its reality. And you are most definitely correct that when someone tries to "use" their works "to gain God's favor..." they are diminishing Christ's work. Although I would be so brash as to say that this actually denies Christ's atoning work and salvation is forfeited.

In His grace,