Grace and Labor

The final point of five that we started a few days ago based on "The Compelling Prospect of Grace", Captured by Grace by David Jeremiah.


Grace Teaches Us to Resist Laziness

"The last thing Paul says is to be "zealous for good works" (Titus 2: 14). This is a good word for Christians like us who are always teaching about grace. We say over and over that you can't be saved by good works -- and you can't (Ephesians 2: 8-9). But Ephesians 2: 10 says we were saved for good works. It's possible to become lazy when focusing so intently on grace. There is kingdom work to be done in this world, and it is those who are saved by grace who are to do it.

In 1 Corinthians 15: 10, Paul says he is what he is "by the grace of God." Yet, he says, "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." He is saying he was saved by grace, and it is the same grace in him that compels him to labor diligently for Christ."