Hello Pastor Nick,

Thank you for sharing this thoughtful response to Pastor William’s reflection on faith and works. Your insights beautifully highlight the balance between grace and the life of obedience we are called to live as believers. The passage you referenced—“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)—emphasizes salvation as a divine gift, given freely by God rather than earned through human effort. This truth is central to understanding the mercy and love of Christ and serves as an assurance for all believers.

Another passage that further expands on this concept is “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). This verse reminds us that true faith manifests in action, not as a requirement for salvation, but as an authentic response to God’s grace. As believers, our actions are evidence of a transformed life, one that reflects Christ’s love and character in how we serve, uplift, and encourage others in faith. Works do not precede grace; they follow as a natural outflow of a heart surrendered to God.

Your reflection highlights an essential truth—salvation transforms us, and that transformation should be visible in how we live. Grace leads us to engage in good works, not out of obligation but out of joy and gratitude for what God has done. In practical terms, believers can strengthen one another by fostering accountability, practicing generosity, and living with compassion. As a church community, how can we continue to encourage one another in living out this grace-driven faith, especially in times of hardship?

Blessings, Pastor Jeffrey

Hello Pastor Nick,

Thank you for your thoughtful reflection on the harmony between grace and works in the life of the believer. You powerfully brought out “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9), which clearly reminds us that salvation is rooted in divine generosity, not human performance. Your emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount as a framework for living out God’s grace—not earning it—offers a needed lens for understanding Jesus’ moral teachings as flowing from relationship, not regulation.

Another verse that deepens this discussion is Titus 2:11–12: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Here, grace is not static; it is active. It not only saves us, but instructs us—shaping character, forming habits, and fueling obedience. Grace transforms us into the kind of people who joyfully walk in the works God prepared for us.

This truth challenges us to recalibrate our Christian walk—not as a striving for God’s approval, but as a grateful response to it. Works are not the currency of salvation but the evidence of it. As we embrace this, our churches can shift from legalistic burdens to joyful service, where grace fuels both mission and maturity.

You posed the 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?” A beautiful challenge. One answer might be through stories—testimonies of grace at work in real situations. Encouraging one another by celebrating obedience, however small, can build a culture where good works flow from love, not guilt.

I ask the community: How has God’s grace recently changed your “why” for doing good?

Blessings, Pastor Jacob

Hello Pastor William,

Thank you for your rich and thoughtful reflection on the relationship between faith and works. Your emphasis on “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) rightly anchors salvation in God’s unmerited grace. As you pointed out, the Sermon on the Mount is not a checklist to earn salvation, but a blueprint for living as recipients of divine grace. Your post encourages believers to rest in the finished work of Christ and respond with transformed living.

As a complement to your reflection, I’d add James 2:17: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This verse affirms that while works don’t earn salvation, authentic faith naturally expresses itself through action. The fruit of our faith becomes visible in the way we love, serve, and live out our calling—not to gain favor with God, but because we've already received it.

This dynamic between faith and works reflects the heart of discipleship. Grace initiates transformation, and good works become the evidence of that renewal. In practical terms, we can nurture this by encouraging testimony-sharing, group service projects, and mentoring relationships within our churches. These steps allow grace to overflow into lives that uplift and bless others.

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 could be through intentional discipleship groups where members are lovingly held accountable and supported in living out their faith.

In what ways have you seen acts of grace-driven service stir spiritual growth in your community?

Blessings, Pastor Young

Greetings Pastor Nick,

Your response to Pastor William thoughtfully affirms the foundational truth of Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This passage clearly establishes that salvation is not earned but freely given, and you rightly emphasize that the Sermon on the Mount serves as a guide for living out that grace—not a checklist for merit.

A complementary verse that deepens this understanding is Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” This passage shows that grace is not passive—it actively instructs and empowers believers to live in alignment with God’s character. It reinforces that good works are the fruit of grace, not the root of salvation.

The balance between grace and works is a dynamic expression of faith. When we receive grace, it naturally compels us to act in love, serve others, and reflect Christ’s humility. Practically, this means encouraging one another in community—through accountability, prayer, and shared service—to live lives that mirror the grace we’ve received. It’s not about striving to earn favor, but about responding to God’s generosity with obedience and joy.

You asked, “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 small groups or discipleship partnerships where believers can share struggles, pray together, and celebrate growth. Creating spaces for vulnerability and encouragement helps grace flourish in action.

What are some specific ways you’ve seen grace lead to transformation in someone’s life—or your own?

Blessings, Pastor Edward

Greetings Pastor Nick,

Your response to Pastor William thoughtfully affirms the balance between grace and works in the Christian life. You quoted Ephesians 2:8-9, which reminds us that “by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This passage beautifully centers salvation on God’s gift, not human effort, and rightly reframes the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for living out grace, not earning it.

A verse that complements this truth is James 2:17: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” While we are saved by grace, this verse emphasizes that genuine faith naturally produces action. It’s not a contradiction but a confirmation—faith that is alive will bear fruit. Works are not the root of salvation, but they are certainly its visible fruit.

This partnership between grace and works calls us to live transformed lives. When we understand that we are God’s workmanship, created for good works, we begin to see service, compassion, and humility not as burdens but as joyful responses to His love. In practical terms, this means encouraging one another to serve in our communities, forgive freely, and extend grace even when it’s hard. It’s in these moments that the gospel becomes visible.

You asked, “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 by sharing testimonies of grace in action—stories of how God’s love has empowered someone to serve, reconcile, or persevere. These stories inspire and remind us that grace is not just theological—it’s transformational.

How can we better equip believers to recognize and respond to everyday opportunities for grace-driven action?

Blessings, Pastor Carlos