The Grace Controversy: Answers to 12 Common Questions by Michael L. Brown

Author:Michael L. Brown [Brown, Michael L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781629989204
Publisher: Charisma House
Published: 2016-05-02T17:00:00+00:00

GOOD WORKS ARE THE FRUIT OF OUR FAITH

What is the place of good works in the New Testament under grace? According to the universal testimony of all New Testament writers, our good works are the proof and fruit of our faith.

Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles that they “should repent and turn to God and do works proving their repentance” (Acts 26:20). And in one of his greatest expositions of grace in the Bible (Eph. 2:1–10) he wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them” (vv. 8–10). Grace and works go hand in hand, with our good works being the natural expression of God’s gracious work in our lives.

In keeping with this teaching, Paul wrote to Titus:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, righteously, and in godliness in this present world, as we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a special people, zealous of good works.

—TITUS 2:11–14

There you have it again: grace results in good works, which is why Paul urged Titus to remind his hearers “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1, ESV). A person can teach grace and call on God’s people to live godly lives and do good works. It is not either-or; it is both-and.

Jacob (James) confirmed this as well, writing:

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

—JAMES 2:14–18, NLT

Now, returning to the first part of this chapter’s question, how is this different from the Sinai covenant? There are actually many pronounced differences between life under the Sinai covenant and life under the new covenant:

• Under the Sinai covenant there were perpetual sacrifices for our sins; under the new covenant there was one, once-for-all sacrifice made.

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