Our Lutheran churches are falsely accused of forbidding good works. . . Our Lutheran churches begin by teaching that our works cannot reconcile us to God or merit forgiveness of sins and grace but that we obtain forgiveness and grace only by faith when we believe that we are received into favor for Christ’s sake, who alone has been ordained to be the mediator and propitiation through whom the Father is reconciled. Consequently whoever trusts that he merits grace by works despises the merit and grace of Christ and seeks a way to God without Christ, by human strength, although Christ has said of himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). … This teaching concerning faith is everywhere treated in Paul's epistles, 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.' [Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) … Our teachers teach in addition that it is necessary to do good works, not that we should trust to merit grace by them but because it is the will of God.

Note well: There is no place for good works in one saving oneself. One is declared saved through faith in Jesus alone, however, the one who has faith will naturally bear good fruit as the Spirit of God is abiding in his/her heart. This is made clear in verse 10 of Ephesians chapter 2: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Another key Scripture passage comes from James, the second chapter: 'What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 'James 2:14–18 (ESV) One is declared saved through faith in Jesus alone, however, the one who has faith will naturally bear good fruit as the Spirit of God is abiding in his/her heart.

--Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,