The Active Work of God's Grace in Salvation
The active work of God's grace in salvation refers to the divine initiative and ongoing power by which individuals are brought into a saving relationship with God. This concept emphasizes that salvation is not primarily a result of human effort but rather a gift and operation of God [10]. The Bible speaks of God's "election of grace," where individuals are chosen for eternal life according to God's good pleasure [3].
This divine activity is evident throughout the process of salvation. For instance, Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life" [6]. This verse highlights that even the capacity for good works is a result of God's prior preparation and creative work in believers. Similarly, Titus 2:11 declares that "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone" [4]. This grace is not passive but actively brings about salvation.
The power of the Holy Spirit is central to this active work. The Holy Spirit is identified as the power of God, through whom Christ commenced his ministry and wrought miracles [7]. This same power is at work in giving spiritual life, making the gospel efficacious, and overcoming difficulties [7]. The conception of Christ and his resurrection from the dead are also attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the Spirit's role in divine acts of creation and new life [7].
The idea that salvation is "not by works of righteousness which we have done" is a core tenet [10]. This does not negate the importance of good works, but rather places them as a consequence and evidence of salvation, not its cause [1]. The objection that salvation by grace does away with the necessity of good works has been answered repeatedly; good works are seen as a natural outflow of a transformed life, prepared by God [1, 6]. John Gill, commenting on Titus 3:5, emphasizes that works of righteousness, even those done after conversion, do not bring about salvation [10].
The active work of God's grace also involves God working within believers to enable them to live out their salvation. Philippians 2:13 states, "For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure" [9]. This passage suggests that God provides both the desire and the ability to obey Him. As Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown explain, this divine working encourages believers to "make full proof of, and carry out to the end, the 'salvation' which He has first 'worked,' and is still 'working in' us, enabling us to 'work it out'" [9]. This perspective maintains that while human will is involved, it is not active without grace, and grace is not inactive without human will [9].
The concept of "God's work" is also reflected in biblical names like Elpaal, meaning "God's work," and Eliphaz, meaning "the endeavor of God" [2, 8]. These names underscore the pervasive understanding of God as an active agent. The "works of the Lord" are described as great, encompassing creation, providence, and the miracles of Christ, all of which display God's power and wisdom [11].
Even in prayer, the active work of God is recognized. "Effectual prayer" is described as the "supplication of a righteous man [that] availeth much in its working," implying that it moves God's hand [5]. This suggests that prayer, while a human act, is effective because it engages with God's active power.
The active work of God's grace is thus a comprehensive theological concept, encompassing God's initiative in election, His power in regeneration and sanctification through the Holy Spirit, and His ongoing enablement of believers to live a life of good works. It is a work that God prepares in advance and continually performs within His people [6, 9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Works, Good — The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom. 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the bet”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elpaal — God's work”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Titus “Titus 2:11 (BSB) — For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Effectual prayer — Occurs in Authorized Version, James 5:16. The Revised Version renders appropriately: "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working", i.e., "it moves the hand of Him who moves the world."”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 2:10 (BSB) — For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of the Holy Spirit, The — Is the power of God -- Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20. Christ commenced his ministry in -- Lu 4:14. Christ wrought his miracles by -- Mt 12:28. Exhibited in Creation. -- Ge 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. The conception of Christ. -- Lu 1:35. Raising Christ from the dead. -- 1Pe 3:18. Giving spiritual life. -- Eze 37:11-14; Ro 8:11. Working miracles. -- Ro 15:19. Making the gospel efficacious. -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Overcoming all difficulties. -- Zec 4:6,7. Promised by the Father. -- Lu 24:49. Promised by Christ. -- Ac 1:8. Saints Upheld by. -- Ps 51:12”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Eliphaz — the endeavor of God”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 2:13: For--encouragement to work: "For it is God who worketh in you," always present with you, though I be absent. It is not said, "Work out your own salvation, though it is God," &c., but, "because it is God who," &c. The will, and the power to work, being first instalments of His grace, encourage us to make full proof of, and carry out to the end, the "salvation" which He has first "worked," and is still "working in" us, enabling us to "work it out." "Our will does nothing thereunto without grace; but grace is inactive without our will" [ST. BERNARD].”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done,.... The great instance of the kindness and love of God our Saviour is salvation; which the apostle denies that it is brought about by any works, even the best works of men; for "works of righteousness" are works done according to a righteous law, and in obedience to it; and in a righteous manner, from right principles of grace, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; or otherwise they are not righteous actions, or works of righteousness; wherefore not works before, but after conversion, are here meant; for works b”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 111:2: The works of the Lord are great,.... His works of creation are great, being made out of nothing, are the effects of great power, and the produce of great wisdom, and which greatly display the glory of their Maker; the works of providence are great, which are daily wrought, especially such as concern the church and people of God, for whom he does great things, whereof they have reason to be glad and praise his name; the miracles of Christ he wrought here on earth were surprisingly great, some of them such as had not keen known from the creation of the world; and yet g”