In the previous blog I pointed out that a wage or price is awaiting the believer. This is not for his own hard work and for him worrying about doing enough, because that will cause him to lose wages. God rewards only the work that HE does through the believer. That is an extremely important distinction! If we do not make that distinction, then, in a round about way, we would completely destroy the principle of grace. Fact is, we are saved by grace, without any work of ourselves. Even faith is a gift from God (Eph.2:8,9). After all, it is He Who convinces man, through His word. But does God expect works of the believer for the continuation of his spiritual life and salvation? That would be most inconsistent. What God will honor in the walk of the believer is that he actually remains in grace. If not: you are saved in grace, but from then on, to advance and remain saved, it would depend on you (Gal.3:2.3.) On the contrary: you are saved by grace – REMAIN STANDING (WALKING) IN IT! (Col.2:6.7). Steadfast. Unwavering (Col.1:23). It is by faith in God’s grace that man is saved. It is by the same faith that God, then, performs His work through man.
If something is one’s own or God’s work, we recognize in someone’s boasting (1Cor.1:29-31). If it is God’s work, efforts on the part of the believer will be experienced by him as completely GOD’S achievement. So HE will receive, for that too, ALL the honour and glory.
Yet, in the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace, which is in me, did not come to be for naught, but more exceedingly than all of them toil I – yet not I, but the grace of God which is with me.
1Corinthians 15:10
These are the “good works”, as Paul explains elsewhere:
… not of works, lest anyone should be boasting. For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them.
Ephesians 2:9-10
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Translation: Peter Feddema
