Taken from a post at www.mattgrube.com.
The paradox that exists between grace and works is one that confuses most people. We try so hard to "please" God, yet often forget that He is pleased with us because of his Son Jesus' work on the Cross. However, if we look at how grace actually works in our lives, it seems to be easier to grasp. So, here are four ways that grace works:
1. Grace humbly recognizes the need for Jesus - At the foundation of grace is the need to recognize faith in another (Jesus) and not yourself. This takes humility! The person that continues to think they can please God will most often be self-righteous (literally), arrogant and prideful. Don't be that person! Grace puts faith in Jesus, Works places faith in self.
2. Grace Inspires Effort - To paraphase Dallas Willard, "Grace is opposed to earning, not effort." When we truly encounter God's grace as His free gift, we cannot help but be changed (See an awesome demonstration of this power of grace HERE). Granted, we will not be perfect in ourselves, but with His power we will continue to be transformed through His grace.
3. Grace Brings Freedom - Many of our relationships in life are contractual. If I sign a new cell phone contract, I agree to pay "$X" amount per month in exchange for cell phone coverage. Although that works great with cell phones, employment and credit cards, it works horribly with deep relationships, most importantly God. We don't obey God so that He will love us, He loves us therefore we obey. Living life earning God's love through obedience is a great example of bondage, but obeying God in response to His love is freedom!
4. Grace Heals the Wounded - Brennan Manning goes into detail about this in his book The Ragamuffin Gospel (It comes highly recommended!). Too often when we throw others or ourselves into a works mentality, we wound those that are meant to be the healers. We wound the church! However, when we live, preach and teach that our works are the result of a grace experience even the most downtrodden person can be completely transformed. It is possible through the grace of Jesus that our lives and churches can be known for healing the wounded and not wounding the healers.
Where would you rather live, under "works" or under "grace?" Grace recognizes faith in Jesus, inspires effort, brings freedom and heals the wounded. Works instills faith in self, requires earning, brings bondage and wounds the healers. You decide?
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Ephesians 2: 8-10, "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
