Are Our Good Works Done by Grace?

In this regular feature Dave and Tom respond to questions from readers and listeners of The Berean Call.  Here is this week’s question: Dear Tom and Dave, As a new Christian, I seem to be a point where all the new knowledge I have is creating a bit of confusion.For example, how does grace relate to works?On the one hand, I know that I am saved by grace and not by works, but on the other hand, it seems to me that the good works I am to do regarding Ephesians:2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
See All... can only be done by grace.Yet Paul says in Romans:11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
See All..., “And if yet by grace, then is it no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace.But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work.”Can you help me out here?

Tom:

Dave, coming out of Roman Catholicism this was always confusing for me and I’ve noticed and as I have listened to and have been involved in debates with Roman Catholics that this is still an issue, I would say, is confusing for the church.

Dave:

Well let’s quote that scripture that whoever this was was referring to.Ephesians:2:8-10 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
See All..., “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it (that is, salvation) is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”And then it says this, this is what this person referred to, verse 10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”So you only do the good works after you get saved, that’s clear.Salvation is a gift, it’s not by works, but we have become new creatures in Christ, through faith in Christ and now God expects us to live in a certain way.For example in Philippians:2:12-13 [12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
See All... says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you.”It doesn’t say work FOR your salvation.You can’t do good works until you’ve been saved, right?We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.But now this salvation he has put in me, the Holy Spirit, Christ living in me—now I am to work this out.It is to express itself in my life.Now Paul for example, I like the way he says it in Colossians:1:20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
See All..., 29.He says, “Whom we preach (talking about Christ in you, verse 27) the hope of glory (you have to have Christ in you now, this is not an unsaved person, this is not someone who does not know Christ who’s working for his salvation.That’s quite clear.)“Christ in you the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”And then he says this, “Where unto I also labor, striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily.”So it’s like it’s God that works in you, “…Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.”But Paul says you don’t just float on a pink miracle cloud.You don’t just relax and now God does everything.We are not robots or puppets on a string so we are expected to cooperate with God.I give everything I’ve got says Paul to be what God wants me to be; to live the life he wants me to live.Now, he empowers me by his grace.It’s not by my works alone.I can’t do it without—look I can’t even draw a breath without God’s mercy and his grace.

Tom:

But we’re making a distinction here.Paul is not talking about salvation, in other words, your eternal destiny, eternal life that you have in Christ.You can’t do anything for that.By grace—well it says “By grace are you saved…,”—

Dave:

But we don’t save ourselves; we do nothing to save ourselves.This is a gift, a gift of God.[With] a gift all you can do is receive it.But now we are to live a different life.If Christ is my life—Paul says in Galatians:2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
See All..., “I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me.Now the life that I’m living, I’m living by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.But that doesn’t mean that I’m just passive in this.He speaks of being workers together with God.It is God that worketh in you to will and to do his good pleasure,” but work out your own salvation.”Work out in your life what God wants to work out through you.I think it’s pretty clear Tom.

Tom:

I think what makes it confusing Dave is again, the apologists, Roman Catholic apologists that you’ve debated numbers of them.They keep coming back to this.Yes, we believe that we are saved by grace.God gives us the grace to do the works for our salvation.

Dave:

Yes, but that’s—Tom I think we showed from the scriptures very clearly that you don’t do any work for your salvation.“By grace are ye saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God lest any man should boast.Not of works!So when it comes to salvation it specifically says, “Salvation is not of works!” And God does not give us the grace to do the work for our salvation.Christ did the work.He led the perfect sinless life, he died for our sins on the cross; he paid the penalty.And as he gave spirit into his father’s hands, he said Tetelasti—it is finished!”Then the work of our salvation was completed on the cross.That’s one of the problems with the liturgy.Vatican II for example begins like this, page one says, “It is through the sacred liturgy and the sacrifice of the Eucharist that the work of our redemption is accomplished.”It’s being accomplished, no!It was accomplished on the cross.It’s a finished work, but now we work for him because he has saved us out of love and grace for his gift of salvation.