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