Eph. 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
When reading these two verses, it appears that the bible is contradicting itself. When really they both agree that if faith is not accompanied with action it is a false faith. Paul talks about grace in Ephesians and that it is something to be given upon request. it is not a light gift though, it is very costly. so much so that one could never pay it back. therefore, when one accepts the gift the response is to try to repay the giver. When we try to do this God says, "No, show this love and grace to others. give to them. pay it forward."
In this way the two verses work together perfectly. In fact, this then becomes the reason why we are on earth. it becomes our purpose/ goal to show God's love to everyone that we encounter. every day is a gift that God made for us to live to the full and in anticipation for heaven. (Phil. 1:21 for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.)
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