Paul taught that salvation is a gift from God by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The Greek word for "grace" is charis, meaning a gift or favor.
In the New Testament it can refer either to God's gift of mercy or to His
gracious favor.
Paul makes it clear throughout his writings that God's grace leading to
salvation is "not of works, lest anyone should boast" (verse 9).
But Paul's overall perspective toward Christian works is generally ignored
by opponents of obedience to God's law.
Look at Paul's perspective in the next verse. "For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that
we should walk in them" (verse 10). Those who ignore the reasons for
our being God's "workmanship," who ignore why we are "created
in Christ Jesus for good works" and why we are to "walk" in
them, miss a major part of Paul's message.
Notice Paul's correlation of obedience and works related to salvation to
God's work within us, which enables us to accomplish His purpose in us. "Therefore,
my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).
Certainly forgiveness and salvation are gifts from God. They cannot be earned.
As humans we possess nothing of sufficient value to pay for the forgiveness
of our sins and our salvation. Yet Jesus bluntly tells us that "unless
you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5). Through repentance
we do not earn salvation, but repentance is a prerequisite for salvation.
