Notes of Faith October 20, 2025
Evidence of New Life
[Christ] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 2:14
It is wrong to assume that because we are saved by grace that works don’t matter. Works have always mattered in God’s economy. In fact, Christ died to redeem us from “lawless deeds” and create in us a zeal for “good works.”
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 is the passage that best incorporates the place of works in salvation and the Christian life. In those verses, Paul wrote that we are saved by grace through faith, “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Rather, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” In other words, God has saved us from doing “bad works” so that we might be empowered to do “good works” for His glory. In fact, a life of righteous works is partial evidence of new life in Christ. As James wrote, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Look for ways today to demonstrate your new life in Christ through good works that honor Him.
The Church is a community of the works and words of Jesus.
Donald English
God gave His Word to the people of Israel through their prophets beginning with Moses. (Job may have been the first book written). They took the law of God and made it into a “works” religion to have relationship with God. Most religions today have a “works” plan to be right with God. God’s Word clearly teaches that no amount of good works can save a lost and damned soul (which is all of us). Our good works are a result of knowing Christ, believing in His death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation, forgiveness, and redemption, producing works of righteousness in Christ and for Christ!
Eph 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Gal 6:9-10
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Pastor Dale