Understanding Grace vs. Works: The True Path to Salvation and Freedom in Christ
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:
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“You’ll never be holy enough.”
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“You didn’t pray long enough today.”
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“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:
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Forgive those who hurt you.
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Resist temptation.
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Serve with humility.
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Love the unlovable.
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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.
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Paul speaks of how we receive salvation—by faith, not works.
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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:
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A hunger for God’s Word — Grace draws you into deeper fellowship.
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Freedom from condemnation — You rest in Christ’s forgiveness.
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Obedience from love — Not duty, but devotion.
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Transformation of character — You reflect Jesus more each day.
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Joy in serving others — Works flow from a grateful heart.
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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:
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Childhood rejection or perfectionism.
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Legalistic religious environments.
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Unforgiveness toward self.
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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.
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Legalism works to be accepted.
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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:
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Depend on God’s strength, not our own.
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Walk by faith, not feelings.
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Obey out of love, not fear.
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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.
