Not by Our Works

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law ; for by the works of the the law no flesh shall be justified. (Gal.2:16)

Not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph. 2:9)

The Lord has declared this repeatedly in his word. The world's preaching is, "Do as well as you can, live a moral life, and God will save you." The gospel's preaching is this: "You are a lost sinner and deserve nothing of God but His displeasure; if you are to be saved, it must be by an act of sovereign grace. God must freely extend the silver scepter of His love to you, for you are a guilty wretch who deserves to be sent to the lowest hell. Your best works are so full of sin that they can in no way save you. To the free mercy of God, you owe all.
Someone says, "Are good works of no use?" God's works are of use when a man is saved. They are evidences of his being saved, but good works do not save a man. Good works do not influence the mind of God to save a man. If it were so, salvation would be a matter of debt and not of grace.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. (Rom. 11:6)
Jesus saves, but he does all the work or none. HE is the Author and Finisher, and works must not rob Him of His due. We must either receive salvation freely from the hand of Divine Bounty, or else you must earn it by your own unassisted merits, the latter being utterly impossible for any human being. May we yield to the first.
May we always remember these foundational truths as we go about our day. As we listen to our husbands, children, friends. We are nothing, God is everything. Everyone we come into contact with is either saved or lost. As a believer, being reminded of where our salvation came from, that it is not of ourselves, remembering who we are in Christ is essential to our interactions with others and how we view life daily. Keeping our eyes on our maker and saviour is the only way to get through our days.