Does Grace mean "no works"?

"for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9)

Grace is God-given, made possible only by Jesus Christ and none other. The Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy that God gave to us by sending his son to die on a cross to give us eternal salvation. Strong's Concordance defines Grace as the state of kindness and favor towards someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to that object.

"are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24)
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

I could give you verse after verse on the Grace of God. Romans is a fascinating book outlining sin and righteousness, grace and law, flesh and Spirit. God's grace is a mystery indeed! That God would love us that much while we are yet sinners in almost unbelievable. How easy is it for us to love those we consider "sinners"? But God did. He sent His Son to die for our sins. He wants a relationship with us. Like a father or mother with their children, God wants to be with us and shower us with His blessings. Thank you Jesus for reconciling us to the Father! I whole heartedly believe that we are saved (put back into relationship with an all perfect God and going to heaven) by God's amazing Grace.

In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites "the law". Jesus' death fulfilled the law so we wouldn't have to. "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do… God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:2-3) Praise God! The righteous requirements of the law have been fully met for us. No more "working our way to heaven" by following the law! Jesus did that for us.

But……
Does that mean that we do nothing? That we no longer have to obey or work? I'm here to tell you that I have not found that to be the way of the Christian life. If God reveals differently to me in the future, I will humbly repent and let you know but I have found that if I want to truly be in relationship with God and receive His blessings, healing, joy and peace - I have to "do" things. I have to read my Bible and get to know God. I have to say "yes God". I have to repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15) Sometimes I have to say, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

I've been seeing a lot of web pages with "the Grace message". I am frustrated though because they seem to say that we do not have a part in "working out our salvation" (Phil 2:12). From what I've read in the Bible, God worked for six days before He rested. And he told Adam and Eve to "work" the garden, fill the earth and please, no, do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! (Gen 2) Adam was expected to work and obey. Sin had not entered the world at the time of this instruction from God. They already had a relationship and favor (Grace) from God.

By God's grace, given through the gift of His Son, we also can have a relationship with God, our heavenly Father. We must receive it. "For whosoever believes…" (John 3:16). With our sin out of the way, we can now again walk with Him in the garden. We can hear His voice. It is the voice of love, faithfulness and forgiveness. It is the voice of protection and strength. It is the voice of wisdom and of knowledge. God's voice will direct our path, turn our heart toward his and away from selfish gain and worthless things. It is the voice that tells us we are free from sin and filled with His Spirit. It is the voice we need to hear and submit to in order to live the abundant life he died to give us. His answers are sweeter than honey, more precious than silver and gold. David tells us in Psalm 119 "Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (vs 129-130)

I want all of the blessings God wants to give me. I want to know this awesome, all-powerful, ever loving God who loved me so much that He gracefully did what needed to be done to be with me! His Word contains the words of life. I want to know them! So, I will read my Bible. (could be called "works"). I want my heart to yearn for the things His heart yearns for and see friends and family members come to know him, so I pray. I want to live in the abundance He promises - I want to "ask anything in His name" and get it!!

He is transforming me into His very image. I can't always believe this or understand this but I know it brings me joy and gives me freedom. I am willing to do all that I can to see with my spiritual eyes, all that God has for me.

Call it what you will, if its "works" then its works. It's worth it. Amen

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…" (Hebrews 12:1-2)