Working Man's Blues

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. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)

These two verses have caused a lot of debate throughout the centuries. They seem to be in logical tension with one another.

A person is saved by the grace of God (God's preformative initiative in ones life, or simply, his presence leading one to know him) through faith (being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see).

NOT OF YOURSELVES, NOT BY WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST

If a man can keep all of the commandments, and be a good person then he has a right to ride into heaven with a golden horse while all of the saint lift up his name. He should even get his name on heaven's marquee with flashing lights and a neon color than no one has ever seen before.

The above exaggeration is absolutely false: No one can ever be good enough, can never do enough to earn God's favor. What does earn God's favor is FAITH in Christ because Jesus is the only person who was ever able to please him..."You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Grace initiates, Faith strengthens, works demonstrate faith, works do not earn good standing with God.

The person who is caught up in a "works based" mindset has the blues. Why? They can never do enough to earn the acceptance of God, and it leaves them feeling defeated because they are relying on their good deeds to try to get heaven to do standing ovation in their honor. Some people who are caught up in this mindset are not trying to please God, but they are trying to please people. They love to hear their shouts and admiration, they receive their reward in full.

True relationship with Jesus is honored, not how much you have done for him.

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' ²³Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23).

The above passage shows us two things:

1. It is the will of God that we know Jesus
2. It is not the will of God that we exclusively do things "In Jesus name"

The working man's blues will be sung by a lot of people who thought they could work their way into heaven, and not enter into the door of heaven (Jesus) by simply knowing and obeying him.

For all of you works lovers out there, remember that God wants relationship with Jesus to be primary in your life. You cannot be saved through your own effort, you must accept that Jesus has already "paid it all."

Is this saying that Christians should sit back and do nothing? No! It does say that salvation is a gift from God through relationship with Christ. Salvation can not be earned by doing things for God.

Works bring faith to life. It shows everyone else your gift of salvation and hopefully makes them want to receive it themselves. Works demonstrate to God that you are serious about following his lead, and surrendering to his plan for your life.