... (We aren't saved by works but by God's grace --- He doesn't need our help.)...
Just looking for clarification, are you saying that God doesn't require our co-operation, at all?, that would be rape, not love. A gift is given, this is true, unearned, but what then to do with that gift?
The text does say,
Ephesians 2:8 KJB - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 KJB - Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 KJB - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Faith is to be exercised, as James states [James 2:14-26 KJB].
Thus it is faith [root, as a gift from God through grace]
unto good works [fruit of obedience working in co-operation with God's strength that He gives in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit], as the good works are in salvation, after belief, revealing its actual occurence/transaction. Look at the order of progression in the thought, from its origin to its finality.
A pardoned criminal, with record cleared, having thus been paid in full, is set at liberty once more, not to commit that which was done in the past, which made them criminal, but now unto a new citizen, with differing [good, not criminal] works. A criminal still on death row, who has not received pardon, it would not matter what works were done, for the works cannot pay the death penalty, even if done into infinity, the penalty was death, not works.
That which parallels
Ephesians 2:8-10 KJB, is
2 Timothy 3:14-17 KJB:
2 Timothy 3:14 KJB - But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2 Timothy 3:15 KJB - And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJB - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:17 KJB -
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Salvation, is that which is being bought and brought [see
Leviticus 25 KJB, in type] back into the perfect will of God [His Ten Commandments]. As James says, the [good, living] works are not the root, but the fruit born of the root of real faith:
Luke 8:15 KJB - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word,
keep it, and
bring forth fruit with patience.
Notice:
James 2:14 KJB -
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:15 KJB - If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 KJB - And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:17 KJB -
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 KJB - Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and
I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:19 KJB - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20 KJB - But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 KJB - Was not
Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22 KJB -
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23 KJB - And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24 KJB - Ye see then how that
by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:25 KJB - Likewise also was not
Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
James 2:26 KJB - For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also.
How did Abraham believe God? Mere mental ascent? No, it was through actual demonstration of the living faith, in the good work by offering Isaac in reality, requested by the commandment of God, thus was obedience and true worship
in spirit and
in truth. Or one might say in heart and deed.
Hebrews 6:1 KJB, makes the distinction from "dead works", and thus its contrast in Christ, of living works.
Christ Jesus has given us something to "keep" through living faith [not "dead", again not for, not towards, but] "in" salvation:
Revelation 12:17 KJB And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:3 KJB - And hereby we do know that we know him,
if we keep his commandments.
John 14:15 KJB -
If ye love me,
keep my commandments.
[see Exodus 20:6 KJB]
John 14:23 KJB - Jesus answered and said unto him,
If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 15:10 KJB -
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
etc., etc.
A man which does not, through faith, keep the commandments of God [
Exodus 20:1-17 KJB], did they really have saving faith? No. They had doubt:
Romans 14:23 KJB - "... or
whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
1 John 3:4 KJB - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for
sin is the transgression of the law.
Romans 6:23 KJB - "For the
wages of sin is death; ..."
Notice, the
"faith of Jesus":
Revelation 14:12 KJB - Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that
keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus.
That text does
not say "faith in Jesus", but rather the more powerful
"faith of Jesus", which allowed Him to walk in the fallen sinful flesh of mankind, as we have now, and not sin. He gave us that example, for He is both substitute and example.
"... The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness. {AA 482.2}
God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are "willing to be made willing," the Saviour will accomplish this for us, "Casting down imaginations, [483] and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. {AA 482.3} ..." - Acts of the Apostles, page 482.2-482.3
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJB - But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.