If we’ve been justified by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone, then do we bear any responsibility to grow in our faith? Does it matter? If there’s grace then should we be content with sin as a reality because Christ will forgiven every sin?
These are some of the issues related to growth as God’s people. We’ve been regenerated by the Spirit as new creations so we should be living as such. This is Paul’s point in Ephesians 2:10. We are new creations, we are God’s workmanship. Because of God’s faithful work in us, and our working in concert with the Spirit, we are growing in Christ daily. Dying unto sin, and living unto Christ. But should good works be present in the life of a believer, and how do we understand the presence of good works knowing that they do not, and cannot save us? That’s what we’ll discuss this week as we begin to discuss our sanctification.
Questions
What are the two ways in which Christians err in their thinking about works and salvation? What is antinomianism? Do you have any experience with Christians or churches that do not emphasize obedience or holiness? What was the experience like?
In what sense are good works necessary for salvation? What is the difference between works being necessary as a consequence, versus as a condition of salvation?
What is the relationship between a believer’s good works and God’s grace? What does the author mean by the “ordinary means of grace,” and how do they strengthen a believer’s faith?
Does God have a plan for our good works? How does this work out in practice? How does an awareness of God’s plan for our good works shape our prayer life?