Hello Pastor Nick,

Thank you for your thoughtful response to Pastor William's reflection. You’ve effectively highlighted the crucial distinction between faith and works, emphasizing that salvation is solely through God’s grace and not by our own efforts. As you pointed out, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). This passage powerfully reaffirms that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned, but it’s something to be humbly received and cherished.

In light of your insight, I’d like to share another verse from Ephesians that complements this message: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). This verse highlights the ongoing purpose of believers—while our works don’t save us, we are created in Christ to do good works that reflect His love and grace. We are not saved by our works, but our transformation in Christ leads us naturally to live out His will.

The beauty of the Christian life is that salvation and good works go hand in hand. As you’ve wisely pointed out, living a life of grace means actively serving others, showing compassion, and growing in humility, not to earn God’s favor, but as a response to His love. In your experience, what are some practical ways you’ve seen the church encourage members to live out these good works, especially during challenging times?

Have A Blessed Day,
Pastor Jadon

Thank you for your thoughtful response and for adding further depth to the important conversation around faith and works. You’ve wonderfully emphasized the grace of God in our salvation, and how that grace should not be misunderstood as a reason for complacency but as the foundation for a life that reflects Christ’s love. As you pointed out, Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast," beautifully reminds us that salvation is a gift we cannot earn, but one we can only receive through faith.

An additional verse to reflect on is Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This verse highlights the truth that, while works cannot save us, they are the natural outpouring of our transformed lives. The good works that flow from us are evidence of the salvation we’ve received, and a demonstration of our gratitude to God.

Biblically, this balance between grace and works is essential in understanding our calling. We are not saved by works, but we are saved for them. Practically, this means that the grace we’ve received should lead us to lives that are characterized by service, compassion, and humility. While we may fall short at times, God’s grace empowers us to keep striving to reflect His character in our daily actions.

In response to your question, "How might you, as a community, actively encourage one another to live out this grace-filled calling, especially when facing challenges in our daily lives?" I believe we can encourage one another by sharing stories of how God’s grace has helped us through difficulties, modeling a lifestyle of humility and service, and regularly reminding each other of our identity in Christ. Creating spaces for accountability and support within the community can also help us stay committed to living out the good works that God has prepared for us.

How can we, as a church, help one another remain focused on the grace of God, especially when life’s challenges tempt us to rely on our own strength?

Blessings to all,
Pastor Bill

Thank you for your insightful reflection on the relationship between faith and works and for emphasizing the grace of God in the Christian life.

You beautifully highlight how the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, should not be seen as a checklist for earning salvation but rather as a guide to living out the grace we've already received. As you mentioned, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). This passage underscores the fact that salvation is a free gift from God and is not earned by our efforts, which aligns perfectly with your point that grace is the foundation of our salvation.

Additionally, I’d like to share Ephesians 2:10, which follows right after the verse you referenced: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." This verse reinforces the idea that while we are not saved by works, we are saved for them. It reminds us that good works are the natural outflow of our transformed lives in Christ, not a means of earning salvation but a response to the grace we have received.

This creates a beautiful balance between grace and good works. While salvation is a gift, it leads us to live lives that reflect God's love and mercy through acts of service, compassion, and humility. Practically, this means that as we live out our faith, we embrace a lifestyle of obedience to God's will, not as a way to prove ourselves but as a way to honor the grace He has extended to us. It’s important to remind ourselves and our communities that living according to God's will isn’t about striving for perfection but about allowing His grace to transform our hearts and actions.

How might you, as a community, encourage one another to live out this grace-filled calling, especially when facing challenges in daily life?

Have a Blessed Day,
Pastor Luke

Greetings Pastor Nick,

Thank you for your thoughtful reflection on the relationship between faith and works.

You wonderfully highlighted Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This passage emphasizes that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, not something we can earn through our efforts. It beautifully affirms the foundation of our faith—that we are redeemed by God’s mercy and not by our own merit. The Sermon on the Mount, as you pointed out, serves as a guide for righteous living, flowing from the grace we have already received rather than being a checklist for salvation.

An additional verse that deepens this understanding is James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” While salvation is by grace alone, genuine faith inevitably produces good works. This verse challenges believers to examine their lives and recognize that faith is not merely intellectual assent, but a transformative force that compels us to love, serve, and act in ways that reflect Christ. Works do not secure our salvation, but they testify to its authenticity—demonstrating our gratitude for God's grace.

Practically, we live out this truth by seeking to serve others, extending God’s love through our daily interactions, and remaining faithful to His calling. Whether through acts of kindness, generosity, or steadfast obedience, our actions should be a visible expression of the inward transformation brought about by grace. As a church community, encouraging one another in faith-driven works fosters an atmosphere where God’s love and truth are tangibly experienced.

You posed an excellent question: How might you, as a community, actively encourage one another to live out this grace-filled calling, especially when facing challenges in our daily lives? One way is through intentional discipleship and accountability—helping one another persevere in faith, especially during trials. When we walk alongside one another, supporting and uplifting each other, we reflect the grace of God in action, strengthening our witness to the world.

Blessings, Pastor Ruben

Greetings, Pastor Edward,

Your reflection on the delicate balance between faith and works speaks to the very heart of Christian discipleship. As you highlighted, Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage serves as a humbling reminder that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, unattainable through human effort. Our faith in Christ, not our deeds, is what secures our eternal standing with God.

A verse that beautifully complements this understanding is James 2:17, which states, "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." This passage highlights the transformative nature of faith—while we are saved by grace, true faith naturally manifests in works. A genuine relationship with Christ produces visible fruit in our actions, inspiring us to live out the love and righteousness He has instilled within us. Works are not a means of earning salvation but a response to the gift we have already received, demonstrating the heart change that follows a life surrendered to God.

Our journey in faith is one of continuous growth, where obedience and service become expressions of gratitude for His boundless mercy. When we serve others, extend kindness, or stand for righteousness, we reflect the transformative power of God at work within us. The Sermon on the Mount, as you mentioned, is a perfect example of how living by faith leads to a life of action—one that mirrors Christ’s heart for both justice and mercy.

You posed an insightful question about personal experiences with faith and works. How can we, as a community, encourage one another to deepen our faith while also living out acts of service that reflect God's love?

Blessings, Pastor Henry