GRACE VERSES WORKS

Paul also addressed this issue.
Gal 2:20-3:3 (20)"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
(21) "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
(3:1) You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
(2) This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
(3) Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  
(See also Gal.5:1-6)

Paul here is very clear that we are saved by grace. He even states that if this were not so then Christ died for nothing. He
considered the idea of after receiving the Lord to then be perfected by works foolishness. There is another statement Paul
made, that some people misunderstand thinking we are saved by works. While reading it keep in mind what he said here in
Galations chapter 2 &3.

Phil 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Is Paul contradicting himself here? No not at all. In this same letter he said
Phil 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."..........

Phil 1:27-29  "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain
absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no
way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too  from God. For to
you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"

There are two views of this and I believe both are correct and applicable to the context. First of all Paul declared in this letter
that the Lord is the one that began this good work in them. He then admonished them to conduct themselves in a worthy
manner just as we seen that James did in his letter. By Paul saying work out your own salvation he was encouraging them to
live in a manner worthy of their salvation.

It is important that you recognize he said "work out your salvation" Paul did not say "work for you salvation" Perhaps it might be
easier understood like this. You have a body, and when you exercise your body it is called a work out. You are working out your
body. When you are already saved and you continue to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, you are working out your salvation.
You are not working for your salvation.

The second view is that since salvation also means deliverance Paul was telling them through Christ to work through their
hardships. By the Phillipian church standing firm in one spirit it was a sign of destruction to their opponents. It was also a sign
that they were saved. The same as James was saying in his letter their works was the sign that they were saved. It was
important that they stood firm even in hard times. As Paul said they were" granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him,
but also to suffer for His sake"

We are saved by faith not works. But good works should be very important to the true believer. Remember what Jesus said
"why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46

Here is some related scripture that shows we are saved by grace not works for those that would like to look into this further.
Gen. 15:6,Matt 19:23-29, Luke 7:49-50, Luke8:11-15, Acts 15:8-11, Acts 16:30-31, Rom. 3:19-28, Rom.4:4-5, Rom. 8:8,
Rom 10:9,  Rom 10:13, Rom. 11:6.

The writings from church leaders in the first couple of centuries are not scripture. They are however helpful in
determining if the Church has changed any major doctrine or the interpretation of scripture.
The following quotes can be found in:
THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS by Rev. Alexander Robertd, D.D., and James Donaldson, LL.D., editors,  Translations of the
Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) 1989.   

Polycarp, c.69-c.155, bishop of Smyrna
THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS  CHAP.I & II
our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] "whom God raised froth the dead, having loosed the
bands of the grave." "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of
glory; " into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works," but by the will of God through
Jesus Christ. "Wherefore, girding up your loins," "serve the Lord in fear" and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty
talk and error of the multitude, and "believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,"
and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject.

Clement I, d. AD 101, called Clement of Rome, he was the bishop of Rome,  c.92 to 101.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS  .CHAP. XXXII.
And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or
godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty
God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Clement I, d. AD 101, called Clement of Rome, he was the bishop of Rome,  c.92 to 101.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF THE BLESSED CLEMENT
THE DISCIPLE OF PETER THE APOSTLE      CHAP. II
For not by eloquence or renown, by station and descent, or by beauty or strength, or by length of life, is the kingdom of heaven
obtained; but it is obtained by the power of faith, when a man exhibits the works of faith. For whosoever is truly righteous, his
works testify concerning his faith, that he is truly a believer, with a faith which is great, a faith which is perfect, a faith which is in
God, a faith which shines in good works, that the Father of all may be glorified through Christ.

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA  c.150-c.215, Greek theologian
THE STROMATA, OR MISCELLANIES   BOOK I   CHAP. VII
And now we must look also at this, that if ever those who know not how to do well, live well; for they have lighted on well-doing.
Some, too, have aimed well at the word of truth through understanding. "But Abraham was not justified by works, but by faith." It
is therefore of no advantage to them after the end of life, even if they do good works now, if they have not faith. Wherefore also
the Scriptures were translated into the language of the Greeks, in order that they might never be able to allege the excuse of
ignorance,
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  SIN CITY

Have you ever heard of sin city?
It's not a place you live in,
but a state of mind your souls in.

You can run, but you can't hide,
you see, the sins inside.

You can try to shake it, but it won't go away.
Your sin is here to stay.

There is only one way to get rid of sin,
but for it to go, you must be born again.

It's not hard for you to do,
Just accept the one that died for you.
JESUS!

By Dick Bachman, Gold Hill OR
IN LOVING MEMORY OF A
GOOD FRIEND!
Grace VS Works
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