Grace is the only thing that makes us right with God, and it is the only thing that keeps us right with God. However godly our righteousness may look compared to our past or to others, it is no less in need of grace.
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Learning To Be Full Of Grace And Truth. 
Would you agree that those actions, or at least heartfelt attempts at those actions are a sort of “food” for us to keep faith strong? That’s why I think good works are at least as much for us as for those we do them for, since God “prepard them in advance” for us to do.
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I think those are the results of the digesting of grace, to continue your food analogy. Seeing grace work is exciting and motivating no doubt. But we don’t ever want to think that those actions are the reason or even have an effect on God’s love and acceptance of us. None of our actions are good enough. They still need grace.
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Thank you for your thoughts!
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Did I understand correctly what you were asking?
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Looked like it to me! You continued the analogy by saying that actions can be seen as “digesting” the effects of grace. They don’t save, but they…nourish. Try this – https://jeffreyhking.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/good-works-good-soul-maintenance/ A bit more detail.
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Thanks! I’ll give that a look when I get home from work. 🙂
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I read your post. Very good insights Jeffery. Love for God is shown by loving one another as we love ourselves. Helping people, showing kindness, forgiving, all spring from the love the Spirit is building into us. The more we do that, the more we are in tune with the Spirit, the more joy and fulfillment we will have because we are acting with the Spirit. Very true.
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May I also add this thought? We tend to use the words “acceptance” and “approval” interchangeably, when in fact they are very different. We are completely accepted by God on the virtue of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, but works of obedience are necessary for our approval rating as effective servants and ambassadors. Paul, in Timothy’s letter, tells him to “study to show himself approved, a good workman…etc.” Thoughts?
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I am always willing to add your thoughts my dear Ms Jones. Your point is well taken. Is the point Paul is making that Timothy should live in such a way as to show the approval he already has, or to live in such a way as to gain approval he doesn’t? I would say Paul means the former. But language here can be very slippery. I think this might need expanded into a post for further discussion. Certainly God rewards righteousness, but our righteousness, even that after we are Christian is not worthy without His grace. Am I making sense?
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Please do consider a post on this!
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Your wish is my demand…
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