The following excerpt is from Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel & Kingdom, which is a book that brings clarity to the unity of both Testaments. As we wrap up our journey through the Old Testament this year and anticipate the New, I found this explanation of good works and grace helpful. Goldsworthy comments:
The relationship of good works to salvation is essentially the same in both the Old and New Testaments. In both salvation is by grace, but grace never stands alone without good works. To put it another way we may say that no-one (in Old or New Testaments) is saved because of good works, but no-one is saved without good works. This is one aspect of the unity of the two Testaments which makes the Old Testament so applicable to Christians. The same unity underlines Paul’s use of the exodus situation in 1 Corinthians 10:1-12, which reads:
1For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food 4and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
Many individuals who gravitate toward mercy ministry often have a works-based understanding of the gospel. In other words, many believe that our works or deeds merit favor with God. Do you believe the statement that “no-one (in Old or New Testaments) is saved because of good works, but no-one is saved without good works?”
Brothers and sisters, the Bible is clear that it is by grace that you have been saved – and this salvation brings about a new heart and a new life that responds to God in obedience to his holy commands (Eph 2:1-10).
