that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:74-75

I am often faced with this challenge:

"If you believe in salvation by grace plus nothing, then why do you do works."

My response often shocks my challenger. I simply ask them the same question with a twist, "Why do you do good works? Is it to get to go to heaven?” That sets them to thinking, and then I ask, “Isn't that kind of selfish?"

To have the idea that I can do or say something to gain the favor of God for eternal salvation must include the idea that I can also lose the favor of God by my words or actions. This is the law of sin and death. God’s children are not under this law. Notice what Paul says:

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:1-2

There is no condemnation now nor will there ever be any chance that one of God’s elect will face condemnation. If it were possible, then we would still be under this law of sin and death because that is what the law means. The law of the Spirit of life means we have been given liberty to walk in newness of life without fear of eternal judgment.

And thanks be to God, we are delivered from our two worst enemies; sin and its consequence death. Seeing that we are delivered from death, then there is nothing for the child of God to fear.  He can serve the Lord with gladness and liberty, not being afraid of offending a judge.  We can honor Him as our Father knowing that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.

So why do good works?

Because we are thankful for the blessing of salvation completed by a Sovereign God.

This is the only reason that puts good works in their proper place where they can give God ALL the glory!

"Therefore, I live my life in liberty and in service to the Lord!" - from a hymn by the author.