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The salvation event recorded at Ephesians 2:8 isn’t the same as the salvation event when the Lord returns.
At Ephesians 2:8 Paul is talking about being saved from dead works through the ministry, death & resurrection of Christ. After that we are created anew for good works vs 10
At Ephesians 2:8 Paul is talking about being saved from dead works through the ministry, death & resurrection of Christ. After that we are created anew for good works vs 10
James in his letter is talking to believers who have already experienced the salvation event recorded at Ephesians 2:8. He’s telling believers what to do to be saved on judgement day. To do the works that result from our initial faith (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-26)
Christ in his first coming saved us from enslavement to sin. His second coming is to save us from the wrath that is coming upon the sons of disobedience. To deliver those who obeyed him and did the works prepared for them.
“so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many (Ephesians 2:8), will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-26).”
~ Hebrews 9:28
~ Hebrews 9:28
The term “Christ bore our sins” doesn’t just mean his death per say, it means everything that it represents. His commitment to us is a teaching point that involves our correction. Compare with how Paul applies Christ’s example of “bearing our sins” with what we do in imitation:
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗠 in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗦, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:1-2
Galatians 6:1-2
So when the scripture says Christ bore our sins, it means he committed himself to teaching us and leading us to God even if it meant being put to death for it. “Laying down ones life” isn’t exclusive to dying. It means to put others interests so far above your own.....
.....that you’re willing to die in order to show your brethren the way. This is the grace of God. That he sent his son to complete this mission. After we have been SHOWN what to do, we now do the works we have been shown. There’s no more excuse.
“If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.”
~ John 15:24
~ John 15:24
Saying “Christ did the works so now I don’t have to” is a very dangerous doctrine and it’s not going to be well for us on judgement day if we hold to this. Christ didn’t do all that he did for us to just sit and make these excuses to not follow him.
Just to be clear, the works we do as followers of Christ are not our own works. Our own works were dead works that we were saved from. We crucified the old self and the person living now is Christ in us. So there’s no room for boasting. What we do now are the works of God.
These works we do were GIVEN to us by grace through Christ’s ministry. So there’s no room for boasting. But they are works nevertheless.
“....What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
| 1 Corinthians 4:7
“....What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
| 1 Corinthians 4:7
