Wednesday, March 18

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:8–10


Grace versus Works: that is how the theological argument has been framed since the first century. One line of thought (somewhat exaggerated) goes, “We have grace, what need have we of good works?”

In the Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoffer writes: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession… Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

Paul puts it like this: Faith in God is God’s gift to us. Salvation by Jesus Christ is God’s gift to us. The Way of discipleship and good works is also God’s gift to us.

Through baptism, we enter a way; we set out on a journey following Christ and seeking God’s purpose for our lives. We are called into communities of faith that share the road with us. We are invited to read and struggle and learn from the biblical witness and from the lives of our fellow travelers. We are called to respond to God’s gracious gifts by orienting our lives toward God and toward others.

Grace begets Works… Now that’s a different conversation, one that asks, “What new thing has God’s grace begun in you?”


Gracious God, thank you for the gift of faith, the gift of salvation, the gift of your way. Thank you for the companions who share this journey. Help us to live out the way of life you prepare for each of us and all of us, a life in Christ that shines forth in our works. Amen.

Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care