Grace and Works: They Really Do Go Together

by Bryan Gibson

March 28, 2008

Have you ever seen the grace of God? Barnabas sure did. “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:23). What Barnabas saw, of course, was the effect of God’s grace—the effect it had on these people in Antioch, which was that “a great number believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). What Barnabas actually saw was their service to the Lord, clear proof that they had received or accepted God’s grace.

It is important for us to understand that God’s grace is not an end in itself—it has an aim or purpose. Its initial aim, of course, is to provide the means for the forgiveness of our sins, but it goes beyond that. God’s grace is designed to change us in such a way that when people see us, they see the grace of God, just like Barnabas did when he saw the new Christians in Antioch.

Here is a partial list of the changes God’s grace should produce in us. These were selected because the passages indicated show a clear connection between grace and works.

That we die to sin and walk in newness of life (Romans 5:20-6:1-4).

That we change from being slaves of sin to being slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:15-23).

That we deny ourselves “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and instead “live soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:11-12).

That we no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus, who died for us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

That we first give ourselves to the Lord and then to others (2 Corinthians 8:5).

That we become “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14); that we labor “abundantly” for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Too many people believe that obedience somehow detracts from the grace of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Obedience brings the grace of God into clearer light, for all to see. As we can see from the above passages, the very design of God’s grace is to lead us to obedience. “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). His grace toward you will be in vain, unless it produces the above changes in your life.