When discussing salvation with friends and neighbors, the subject of “grace” often comes—as it should since salvation would be impossible without it! However, the devil’s deception has almost everyone convinced that grace excludes any kind of “works.” Some “works,” of course, are excluded from salvation, such as works of the Law of Moses (Galatians 2:16; 3:11), works of human boasting (Ephesians 2:9) and works of our own righteousness (Titus 3:5). However, there are also “works” included in salvation (Philippians 2:12–13; James 2:14–26). Jesus even said belief was a work (John 6:28–29). We must know the difference in these “works.” Doing what God says to receive His free gift is the only way to receive it! This does not negate the fact that it is a free gift. Let us consider some biblical examples that show God’s free gift must still be received.
God’s Gift and the Ten Spies
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel…’” (Numbers 13:1–2 NKJV). Note here that God was “giving” the children of Israel the land of Canaan. There was nothing Israel did to deserve it; they did not earn it; and they certainly could not pay it back. However, they still had to do something to receive it—namely, go in and conquer the land. Do you think they would have had a chance in winning the battles? Absolutely yes! When God is on one’s side, the enemy does not stand a chance (2 Chronicles 20:17)! However, we know “the rest of the story” concerning this incident with the spies. Ten came back with a faithless report (Numbers 13:28–33), being so fearful they considered themselves “like grasshoppers…and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). Even though the land of Canaan was a free gift of God, it was not given to them on that occasion. Instead, then ten spies were put to death and that whole generation of fighting men, twenty years old and older, would die in the wilderness, while the children of Israel wandered forty years (Numbers 14:29, 37). Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who were confident in God, were spared death and later entered the land (Numbers 14:30, 38)! Just because God offers a free gift does not mean He gives it to those for whom He intended! People must do what He says in order to receive it!
God’s Gift and Joshua
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses’” (Joshua 1:1–3). Again, note that God was “giving” them this land (Joshua 1:2), even saying, “I have given you” this land (Joshua 1:3)! Unlike the ten spies and the people who were swayed by their faithless report, “Joshua commanded the officers of the people” (Joshua 1:10–15). The children of Israel responded, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. …Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:16–18).
This was the same land of Canaan that was the free gift of God at the time of the ten spies. Joshua, however, now received the free gift by doing what God said. Because they obeyed, God did not negate that Canaan was His free gift, nor did it mean they somehow earned it.
This event is described by God from Joshua’s part, “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes” (Joshua 11:23). This event is also described by God’s work, “I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them” (Joshua 24:13). Which was it? Did God give them the land? Did Joshua take the land? The answer is both! God gave the gift, and Joshua received it by doing what God commanded!
God’s Gift and Our Salvation
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). As the Bible examples of the ten spies and Joshua prove, grace, faith and works are not exclusive of one another but perfectly harmonize. Salvation from sin is a gift from God (John 3:16). There is nothing we did to deserve it, nor can we ever pay it back. However, like the two examples above confirm, we must by faith do what God requires in order to obtain God’s free gift. Very early, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Yet, the Bible also teaches, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7). Was Noah saved by grace or by faith or by his actions in doing what God said? The answer is Yes, all the above!
The Bible affirms, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). The Bible also affirms, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21). Which was it? Faith? Works? The answer is both! Also, consider Rahab the harlot. The Bible declares, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31). Yet, the Bible also reveals, “Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?” (James 2:25). Again, which was it? Faith? Works? The answer clearly is both!
Conclusion
Salvation is not either by grace or by works, but it is both by grace and by works! God’s gift must be received in order to obtain it. God’s grace is offered to everyone (Titus 2:11), but all will not be saved by it because they will not heed its teaching (Titus 2:12–13). Will you do what God requires in order to receive His free gift of salvation (believe that Jesus is the Christ, John 8:24; repent of sin, Acts 17:30; confess faith in Him, Romans 10:10; be baptized into Christ, Acts 2:38)? Will you maintain salvation by “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7)? If so, you will be saved “by grace…through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9)!
