Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Are We Saved by Grace or by Works? Discover the Biblical Truth

 

Understanding Grace vs. Works: The True Path to Salvation and Freedom in Christ

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By Traci Morin, Touch of God Int’l Ministries
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God—Not of works, lest any man should boast.” —Ephesians 2:8–9


Introduction: A Confused Church

Many believers struggle with the balance between grace and works. Some feel they must earn God’s approval by doing enough good deeds, serving in church, or living a “perfect” Christian life. Others believe grace means they can live however they please—sinning without repentance—because “Jesus paid it all.”

Both extremes are dangerous. One leads to legalism and self-righteousness, the other to lawlessness and spiritual deception. The truth is found in a biblical understanding of how grace and works flow together in the life of a Spirit-filled believer.

This teaching will help you understand what grace truly means, how it transforms your heart, and how works naturally follow a life surrendered to Christ—not as a way to earn salvation, but as evidence of it.


1. What Is Grace?

Grace is God’s unmerited favor and empowerment. It is the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life.

Grace is not merely God’s kindness—it is His supernatural power working in you to live righteously.

Titus 2:11–12 says,

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”

Grace teaches, empowers, and transforms.
It doesn’t excuse sin—it breaks its power.

When the Holy Spirit dwells in you, He gives you the strength to overcome temptation, renew your mind, and produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). That’s grace in action.


2. What Are Works?

“Works” in Scripture often refers to outward deeds—actions, behaviors, and religious practices.

Before Christ, many tried to keep God’s law through their own strength. The Pharisees were masters at outward obedience, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus rebuked them, saying:

“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).

Good works do not save us, but genuine salvation will always produce good works.
James 2:17 says,

“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

That means works are the fruit, not the root, of salvation. Most false religions are into works. The muslim faith believes they have to pray 5 times a day to guarantee their eternal life.


3. The Danger of Legalism

Legalism says, “If I do enough, God will love me.”
It’s the spirit of performance and religion, not relationship.

Legalism leads to pride, condemnation, and fear. It focuses on self-effort instead of God’s grace.

In deliverance ministry, many people carry religious spirits—demons that mimic holiness but keep people in bondage. They whisper lies like:

  • “You’ll never be holy enough.”

  • “You didn’t pray long enough today.”

  • “God is disappointed with you.”

This mindset keeps Christians striving instead of resting in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Romans 3:20 says,

“By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.”

When we try to earn righteousness through our own efforts, we reject the gift of grace and open the door to demonic oppression through condemnation, perfectionism, and pride.


4. The Danger of Lawlessness (Cheap Grace)

On the other side of the spectrum is lawlessness—the belief that grace means freedom to sin without consequence.

This false doctrine, often called hyper-grace, teaches that once you’re saved, you don’t need to repent or pursue holiness. But Scripture says otherwise:

“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” —Romans 6:1–2

Jesus did not die to make sin safe; He died to set you free from sin’s power.
Grace covers your sin, yes—but it also calls you out of sin.

2 Timothy 2:19 reminds us:

“Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Those who abuse grace eventually harden their hearts, quench the Holy Spirit, and risk falling into deception and demonic influence.


5. Grace Produces Transformation

When you truly receive God’s grace, something supernatural happens inside you.
The Holy Spirit writes His law on your heart (Hebrews 10:16).

You no longer obey God because you have to, but because you want to.
It becomes your nature to please Him.

Philippians 2:13 says,

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

This is how grace and works connect—grace transforms your will, and works follow as a natural result.


6. Grace Empowers Obedience

Under the law, people tried to obey God’s commands in their own strength. Under grace, the Holy Spirit empowers you to do what the law required.

Ezekiel 36:26–27 prophesied this new covenant:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you... and I will cause you to walk in My statutes.”

Grace is divine enablement. It helps you:

  • Forgive those who hurt you.

  • Resist temptation.

  • Serve with humility.

  • Love the unlovable.

  • Walk in holiness without fear.

Without grace, all our efforts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But through grace, our obedience becomes a sweet fragrance to God.


7. The Balance of Faith and Works

The Apostle Paul and James are often misunderstood as contradicting each other—Paul says we’re justified by faith, while James says faith without works is dead.

They’re actually two sides of the same coin.

  • Paul speaks of how we receive salvation—by faith, not works.

  • James speaks of how salvation is proven—by works that follow genuine faith.

True faith produces action. When the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus’ garment, her faith led her to move (Mark 5:27–34). Faith acts.

If we truly believe Jesus is Lord, our lives will show evidence of that belief—through obedience, repentance, generosity, love, and service.


8. The Fruits of Grace: Living Evidence of Faith

When grace is active in a believer’s life, the results are visible.
Here are some “fruits of grace” you can look for:

  1. A hunger for God’s Word — Grace draws you into deeper fellowship.

  2. Freedom from condemnation — You rest in Christ’s forgiveness.

  3. Obedience from love — Not duty, but devotion.

  4. Transformation of character — You reflect Jesus more each day.

  5. Joy in serving others — Works flow from a grateful heart.

  6. Victory over sin — Grace teaches self-control and godliness.

If these fruits are absent, it may indicate the person has not fully received or understood grace.


9. Deliverance from the Spirit of Works

Many Christians today unknowingly operate under a spirit of works or performance. They burn out trying to please God, thinking their identity is based on how well they perform.

This demonic stronghold often enters through:

  • Childhood rejection or perfectionism.

  • Legalistic religious environments.

  • Unforgiveness toward self.

  • Generational bondage to religious spirits.

  • Growing up in a home that did not validate or give value to a person. 

To be free, you must renounce the lie that God’s love is earned. You must receive His grace by faith and rest in what Jesus already accomplished.

Deliverance Prayer

“Father, I repent for striving to earn Your approval through works.
I renounce the spirit of legalism, perfectionism, and performance.
I receive Your grace as a free gift through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Teach me to rest in Your love and let Your Spirit empower my obedience.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”


10. Grace Leads to Good Works

Though grace frees you from trying to earn salvation, it doesn’t free you from doing good works. Instead, it motivates you to serve out of love and gratitude.

Ephesians 2:10 says,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

The key is why you do them.

  • Legalism works to be accepted.

  • Grace works because it’s accepted.

When you understand that you’re loved, forgiven, and chosen, you’ll want to pour out your life for God—not to earn His favor, but to honor it.


11. Grace and Repentance Work Together

Repentance is not the opposite of grace—it’s one of its greatest fruits.

Romans 2:4 says,

“The goodness of God leads you to repentance.”

When you encounter God’s mercy, it breaks the power of rebellion and softens your heart to change.

Grace doesn’t excuse sin—it gives you the strength to overcome it.
That’s why deliverance and sanctification go hand in hand with grace.

If you find yourself falling into sin repeatedly, ask the Holy Spirit for more grace (James 4:6). He will give you the strength to resist the devil and walk in victory.


12. Living in the Power of Grace

Grace is not a one-time experience—it’s a daily walk.
Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

Every day, we must choose to:

  • Depend on God’s strength, not our own.

  • Walk by faith, not feelings.

  • Obey out of love, not fear.

  • Extend grace to others as freely as we’ve received it.

When we do, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).


13. The Eternal Perspective

In the end, all glory belongs to God—not to our efforts, but to His grace.
Revelation 4:10–11 shows the saints casting their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.”

Our works, done through grace, become eternal rewards—but salvation itself is only by grace through faith.

This understanding keeps us humble, grateful, and dependent on Christ until the day we see Him face to face.


Conclusion: Resting in the Finished Work of Christ

Grace and works are not enemies—they are divine partners in the believer’s journey.
Grace saves you, transforms you, and empowers you. Works demonstrate that transformation to the world.

When you live by grace, you are no longer striving to be loved—you’re living because you are loved.

Let this truth bring freedom to your heart today. Stop trying to earn what Jesus already paid for. Rest in His finished work and let the Holy Spirit produce the fruit of obedience through you.

As Paul declared,

“By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” —1 Corinthians 15:10

That is the power of grace:
God working through you, not you working for Him.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Evaluating The Word of Prophecy

Evaluating the Word of Prophecy

Gift of Prophecy Characteristics


It was a special gift to discern whether those who prophesied were speaking from God.
The gift was given to distinguish between the Holy Spirit and the working of evil spirits.
There is also the view that the gift incorporated these abilities and many others.

Those who are in the Charismatic churches are familiar with prophetic words. We are told not to believe but to evaluate words of prophecy.

Since discernment of spirits is mentioned after the gift of prophecy, it provides an immediate clue as to its function. It is the ability to determine between what was a genuine revelation from God and what is false.

Personal Prophecy

(1 Timothy 4:14-15, HCSB) Do not neglect the gift in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Practice these things; be committed to them so your progress may be evident to all.

The Bible warns believers about Satan’s deceptions. So, how should we treat prophetic words or personal prophecy? Take it to the Lord. 

  • Try to record the prophetic word. 
  • Transcribe the word of prophecy.
  • Meditate on the Word
  • Check if it aligns with God's Word, or does it go outside the Bible?
  • Take it to an elder if unclear for them to pray about it with you.

Words of Prophecy


Prophetic words can be instant fulfillment and, often, in the distant future of maturity. To properly bear witness to a prophetic word, we must be able to discern between our human soul and our spirit.

The soul is where emotions, reasoning, imagination, physical senses, and feelings are.

When God's Spirit bears witness to our spirit that a personal prophetic word of God is correct and according to His divine will and purpose, our spirit reacts with the fruits of the Spirit.

Prophecy can be a new revelation or, often, confirmation of what the Lord has shown you. God will speak through prophecy to confirm things He has already spoken to you in your spirit. If the prophecy is of God, it will all come to pass, and we will fulfill God's will.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, Being Connected to God:

  • He will direct your path to stay on the right path
  • He will give you discernment about others' intent
  • He will let you know if there is danger. 
Operating in the prophetic evangelism. When I was in New Orleans doing outreach for the lost during Mardi Gras, we were going to go down a specific street, and I heard the Lord say, "Don't that it is a dangerous street." We didn't go down the street. The Lord will protect you. 

Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, He will give you insight into His word. 

Next, teaching coming up: how do we operate in the prophetic anointing? How do we grow our gift in God's way?

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The Robe Of Righteousness Revelation

The Robe Of Righteousness Revelation

What is the Robe of Righteousness?


Throughout the scriptures, the Lord covered us with the Robe of Righteousness. Unfortunately, many take it off, believing a lie about their identity, allowing people instead of God's Word to define them. What is your identity? Are you allowing God's Word to represent you or what others have said to you? The robe of righteousness is a garment of praise.


By Coach Teresa Morin - Anxious2Victorious Women 12-week program, or

Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free


Learn How the Enemy wants to rob you of your robe of righteousness and put shame and regret, live with hurts and pain, and not have peace with your thoughts that drive anxiety, stress, sickness, and disease.

the love of god

The love of God For You

Video


By Coach Teresa Morin - Anxious2Victorious Women 12-week program, or

Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free


Nothing Separates us from the Love of God


Your unfailing love scripture.

Psalm 143

Psalm 143 A psalm of David.
1
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
2
Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
3
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.
4
So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.
5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
6
I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
7
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for I lift up my soul to you.
9
Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.
10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11
For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

Did you know there is nothing you can do to get more of His love and nothing you can do to lose His love? If you walk away from the Lord, it does not guarantee you will go to heaven. But Nothing Separates us from the Love of Christ.


Monday, June 6, 2011

God's forgiveness is conditional

Relationship With God - God's Forgiveness is Conditional

  • failing to love and honor God;
  • failing to believe God's love;
  • living independent of God;
  • seeking fulfillment in things or others;
  • trying to do things for God to earn His acceptance;
  • believing God is more interested in our behavior than in a relationship with us;
  • being spiritually proud passed on our performance, abilities, or sacrifice.

Viewing God's forgiveness as incomplete or conditional results in our:


• believing God is angry with us and holding our sins against us;

• viewing ourselves as being on parole instead of fully pardoned;

• feeling emotional guilt and fearing punishment, which creates the distance in our relationship with God; and

• continually asking God for forgiveness but never experiencing the peace His total forgiveness brings.

By Coach Teresa Morin - Anxious2Victorious Women 12-week program, or

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Our Father Who Comforts

How much does God love us - Our Father Who Comforts


Our Lord does comfort us when we call out. Enjoy the video of How much God Loves You. Learn the Characteristics of God as a Father


How to find peace with God

If you have not been saved or doubt your salvation, please watch the video Receive Christ in your life and allow Him to wash you clean. Going to church does not get you saved. You must deliberately ask Jesus into your heart.



Step #1 You Must Believe in Jesus


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31

Step #2 You Must Confess Your Sins


You must acknowledge that you are a sinner and you want Jesus to wash your sins away. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Step #3 You Must Repent (Turn away from your sins)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15

Step #4 You Must Confess Jesus Before Men

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Step #5 You Must Accept the Gift of Salvation

For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation 2 Corinthians 6:2

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come in the Name of Jesus. I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, into this world to die and for raising Him from the dead so that I can have everlasting life.

I recognize Jesus as my Savior and as the Lord of my life. I repent of my sins and forgive those who have wronged me. I believe in my heart and will confess my belief in Jesus openly. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life.

I receive this gift by faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." -Jesus.

God's love for you scriptures:


John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9-12

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

Romans 8:37-39

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
 
Psalm 37:28

For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever; But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.

Proverbs 8:17

"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Deuteronomy 7:9

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

1 John 3:1

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us because it did not know Him.

By Coach Teresa Morin - Anxious2Victorious Women 12-week program, or

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from curses


 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

God Forgives Sin

 

Why We Have Problems Overcoming Sin


Galatians 5:16-17 "16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

Several reasons why we have problems overcoming sin


1. We are human and sin still indwells in our mortal bodies
2. The mind is still unrenewed in certain areas
3. Our flesh can be stronger than our spirit man - the lust of the world
4. Our emotions control our behavior
5. Satan tempts us just like he tempted Jesus

God knew none of us can ever be perfect within ourselves but we are perfect in Him when we are in the spirit and not in the flesh.

What does that mean. It means He knew how human we are, plus, the adversary is still tempting man until his end comes. Man became separated in the garden when they sinned against God.

God loved us so much that he made a way to bring us back in relationship in Him through Jesus Christ; and through Jesus Christ when we fall or mess up, we have access of forgiveness through Jesus. 1 John 1:9, Micah 7:19, Ps. 103:12, Ephesians 2:18:

For through him [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The Adversary (Satan) will make you believe your sin is too big for God to forgive. Remember in the garden after Adam and Eve fell? They hid behind the tree in fear. They had never felt fear before.

Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have access to the father through the Son. We can be forgiven for any sin. What you have to do is not believe the lies of the enemy. After you confess your sin to Jesus, you have to receive that you are forgiven and then forgive yourself.

Many times, over the years of ministry, I've seen people be stuck in sin because they could not forgive themselves. They were listening to the lies of the enemy believing not the truth.

Then, after Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead, 50 days after, the Holy Spirit was sent to help us. The Holy Spirit is the part that communicates and lets us know through conviction not guilt or shame of our sin.

We need to be fast to ask God's forgiveness and receiving His forgiveness through His shed blood.

Think about it. If we could be perfect, would God needed to send His son to die on the cross?

So, our goal is to understand God's love and experience our new identity is to become like Christ (Roman 8:29. Also, this is not accomplished by our own activities or our own will. It takes the help of the Holy Spirit to walk in the spirit and it is God who works in us (Eph. 2:13). This is 100% God's part (1 Thes. 5:24).

You might ask that we are made perfect when there is confession of sin. Yes, we are made as new creatures in Him. The adversary is still on earth and still tempts us with sin. Many times we fall into sin and when we do, we can go to Jesus Christ and confess our sin at any time and be made whole and clean. It is like it never happened.

No condemnation in Christ


Romans 12:3-13

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

That is why we need to learn how to discern good and evil. Condemnation does not come from God. Condemnation, guilt, shame only comes from the adversary.

By Coach Teresa Morin - Anxious2Victorious Women 12-week program, or

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from curses