Tag: Good Works Matter - 1 Corinthians 3-4

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Tag:  Good Works Matter

Because Justification by Grace through Faith is such a key doctrine to the Church, it is important, based upon Paul’s above words, to talk about “works.”   Works do not save!!

Romans 11:6

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

But, even though Paul states that since salvation is by grace it CANNOT be by works, he does have a place for works.  Like James, the works we do are a demonstration of the faith we profess.   Note James:

Romans 11:6

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

In Paul’s warning to the Corinthians we see that our works are not just an “activity” work. Our works are to be righteous works that can withstand the fire of God’s judgment.  Our sins were judged on the cross via Christ’s payment.  But, our righteous works will be judged by Christ.  We are to do works and “build upon” the foundation of Christ’s justification of us.  We accept one by faith and we practice the other by faith.   In the end, “... each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it ...”.    Our works will be tested.  Those that are built by God’s grace via faith will, like our justification, stand the test.  Those that are done in the flesh to impress others, please others, prove oneself self-image, and/or make a living, will be burnt up.   Works matter; faith works matter vs flesh works.