There is much debate within the religious world about the relationship between “salvation” and “works,” but the Bible is clear. In Eph. 2:9 Paul writes that salvation is “not as a result of works” which is an inspired and true statement. Salvation is NOT the result of works or acts of obedience on our part.
In the previous verse, we read, “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8), which tells us that grace (“the gift of God”) saves us “through” faith. Salvation is “not as a result of works” but does require both grace and faith. The book of James teaches us about this biblical faith” as James compares a “dead” or “useless” faith and a living, active, or working faith (Jas. 2:14-26). A faith that is void of works is dead, while a faith that is demonstrated by works is living. Works are a necessary part of our living faith.
If we combine these two great passages, it becomes clear that we are saved by the grace of God, through living/active/working faith. We must never believe that we can earn our home in heaven, but we must actively strive to live out our faith in God.
Matt Langfield