Ephesians 2:5-10 – God made us “…alive together with Christ, 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places…7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (NASB)
Salvation from satan, sin, and death is a gift of God by the means or instrument of faith. All the good works in the world cannot make us right with God. The payment for our sins has been made and we have nothing to add to it. Our great high priest Jesus Christ is seated because there is no more work for Him to do (See Hebrews 10:11-18).
It’s out of our confidence and trust in Jesus’ finished work that we find love, joy, and peace. It is the Holy Spirit of Christ at work in us that produces good works from God’s love NOT FOR God’s love. The command of God is this, receive the gift of Jesus Christ. That’s it. The works of God come from receiving Jesus Christ.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” – Jesus Christ the Nazarene