Part 5: Grace and Works — Finding the Balance
The Tension: Grace vs. Works
One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the Christian life is the relationship between grace and works. Some lean so far into grace that they forget about obedience and transformation. Others focus so heavily on works that grace feels like a reward rather than a gift.
But Scripture doesn’t present grace and works as opposing forces—it shows us a beautiful balance: we are saved by grace, and we respond in good works.
Understanding this balance is crucial to living in the freedom of the gospel without falling into either legalism or license.
Salvation Is by Grace Alone
Let’s start with the foundation:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
We are not saved by our efforts. No amount of good behavior can earn us salvation. Grace is unmerited favor—it is the undeserved kindness of God extended to us through Jesus Christ. That means our salvation is completely dependent on what Christ has done, not what we can do.
But Grace Leads to Good Works
And yet… Paul doesn’t stop at verse 9. He immediately adds this:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
— Ephesians 2:10
We are not saved by good works—but we are saved for good works.
Grace doesn’t make works irrelevant—it makes them possible. We don’t serve God to earn His love. We serve Him because we have experienced His love. It’s not about working to be accepted; it’s working from a place of being accepted.
Faith That Works
James famously writes:
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
— James 2:17
Some have seen James and Paul as contradicting each other—but they are not. Paul talks about how we are saved: by grace. James talks about what real faith looks like: a life that bears fruit.
True grace doesn’t produce passivity—it produces a desire to honor God with our lives. Not out of fear or obligation, but from a changed heart.
Legalism vs. License
When we misunderstand grace and works, we tend to fall into one of two traps:
1. Legalism:
The belief that we must earn God’s favor through performance, rule-keeping, or religious effort.
Legalism says, “God loves me when I do good.”
But grace says, “God loved me while I was still a sinner.” (Romans 5:8)
2. License (or Lawlessness):
The belief that since we’re saved by grace, we can live however we want.
But Scripture says:
“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!”
— Romans 6:1–2
Grace sets us free—not to sin, but to walk in freedom, righteousness, and gratitude.
The Fruit of Grace
When we truly receive grace, it changes us. We don’t keep on living the same way. The Spirit of God begins to transform our hearts, shaping our desires to align with His.
“For the grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.”
— Titus 2:11–12
Grace is not just pardon—it’s power. It doesn’t excuse sin; it empowers righteousness.
Walking the Balance
The Christian life is not a tightrope walk between grace and works—it’s a life firmly grounded in grace, producing works as the fruit of a changed heart.
We don’t strive to be loved—we are already loved.
We don’t serve to be saved—we serve because we’re saved.
We don’t work to earn grace—we work because grace is at work in us.
Final Thoughts: Responding to Grace
So how do we respond to grace?
With worship.
With obedience.
With compassion.
With service.
Not to earn something, but to reflect the One who gave everything for us.
In our next post, we’ll explore what it looks like to live in the freedom of grace—not bound by guilt or fear, but walking daily in joy, peace, and purpose.