"Law and Grace"

There is a major difference between those who try to earn their salvation and those who enjoy the gift of salvation through Jesus. Salvation by works is nothing but legalism with a guilt-ridden heart. Salvation by faith in the working of God (Col. 2:12) is a joy of service knowing we were created new in Jesus as God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10). The danger of an earned salvation becomes this cold and legal approach to God. Here are some questions the guilt-ridden worker approaches the Lord in their relationship:

How often do you pray? How much do you give? How many souls have you led to Christ? Do you attend every service? How do you show you love the brethren? The answer to the above in the mind of the legalist trying to earn their standing with God? That's not enough. If you pray 3 times a day, you should be praying more! If you have never led one soul to the Lord, how can you be saved? If you miss one service you are forsaking! This is the mind of judgment and condemnation and will never be enough. You are condemned as 'lukewarm' and are bound for hell! They come to the worship assembly just wanting another good whipping by the preacher to feel motivated for the next week to work, work, work for their salvation!! It's all motivated by guilt. I know, I was there! "Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due." (Rom. 4:4)

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Rom. 4:5) "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." (Rom. 11:6)

To those who are moved by the love of Christ that He would die for all your failures and sinfulness, came trusting in His blood by being immersed into Jesus through baptism, looking to God for His promises and raising you up. It has nothing to do with your works but all by His grace. The same questions asked to those who have been forgiven and walk in that salvation respond like this:

They pray and want to grow. God says wonderful. They give from a heart of love and God says great and He helps! They assemble with the saints from a heart of love and the Lord responds with a strengthening! They love their brothers and sisters and are diligent to grow deeper into the love of Christ for others. The Lord helps that love grow.

The guilt-ridden worker is always striving for something that cannot be attained. No joy in service, no love to draw from and no growth. They are quick to argue and defend but it is cold and lifeless. The one saved by the blood of Christ loves to serve and draws from that love into the joy of simply being saved. It creates within a desire to reach the lost as opportunity presents itself. No pressure, no joy stealing, just pure and simply forgiven which leads to service.