We are reading Ephesians for our community group. While recapping 2:8-10 I noticed a new way to think about the concept that salvation can be achieved by works, but by faith alone. Never before had I seen a connection between the process of salvation-sanctification-glorification and works. Finally, it became, for me, at least, that works do have a place, as James 2 suggests, but, in the proper context, works have no value.

Salvation is received by faith and faith alone. We cannot earn salvation through acts of righteousness. The path to salvation has but on door and that is through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. No work can be involved in receiving this gift of grace. Now, back to that three part process: salvation-sanctifiation-glorification. Salvation is spiritual birth, a singular event with eternal and life-long consequences. Sanctification, however, is a much more expansive, enduring state, covering everything that occurs between birth and transcendence into the heavenly realms.

Though works have no part in that first stage of the process, works are the necessary, external evidence of one's faith in the second part of the process, sanctification. As James notes, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." If you look at the two scriptures without the three-part theological perspective I hinted at, they do not reconcile. How can works be valueless and necessary at the same time? They can't. Each truth has its place in the proper perspective and do not contradict or invalidate the other. For me, it took a while to realize this process was the perspective that cleared the confusion up on this matter.

Praise God.