APRIL 29, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

APRIL 29 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-15

The only work involved in salvation is the work of God. We cannot work to earn our salvation; it is by God's grace through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Our salvation is not deserved, we did nothing, nor could we do anything to deserve God's gift of salvation. If we either earned it or deserved it, then it would not be a gift and it would not be grace. Even after we are saved our salvation is not kept by our own efforts or by our own works. That is performance-based Christianity, and it moves us from grace to the works of the flesh. Paul warned the churches of Galatia about this. He said someone had bewitched them, that they would think what was begun by grace could be completed by the flesh (Galatians 3:1-2).

Then what place do works have in the life of a follower of Jesus? Isn't it important to do the work of the Lord? Weren't we, "created in Christ Jesus for good works" (Ephesians 2:10)? Works do have an important place in the believer's life. It is important that our lives show forth the works of God and Jesus has saved us to bring about His work in us. James tells us that, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). His point was that the evidence of a genuine faith was that the works of Christ would be seen in us. Paul tells us that when our life is over that our works will be judged before the "judgement seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10). This will not be about our salvation, but about our works...whether they were done by the flesh or done in the Spirit. The work of God's grace continues in our lives as followers of Jesus. His Spirit produces the works in our lives that are eternal and acceptable to God. The day will come when He will judge all of them and those acceptable works will bring reward, but those unacceptable will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).

Please share your thoughts.