Dear Gradyll:
First, please understand that I am a non-denominational Trinitarian Sola Scriptura
(+ the Anointing to understand it) type Christian. I did not come to what I believe from some church or by reading some added holy book that is not the traditional 66 book Bible. I came to primarily believe what I do from studying the Scriptures alone in prayer with GOD.
Second, I do not believe the Law of Moses applies today. I believe we are under a New Covenant (New Testament) with New Commands, and that the ceremonial laws like the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, and the dietary laws, etc. no longer apply anymore. I believe Christians today get tripped up on the works issue because they do not understand that when Paul spoke negatively of the Law and or works, he was actually referring to:
(a) The whole of the Law of Moses, i.e. the 613 laws given to Israel (contractually speaking, like a contract in buying a house) (Note: This does not mean the Moral Law has not been repeated into the New Testament).
(b) Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The reason why Paul spoke this way was because he was fighting against the heresy of "Circumcision Salvationism." At the time: This was a false belief being pushed by Jews upon Christians that said that you had to be circumcised first in order to be saved (vs. being saved by faith in Jesus Christ). Please see Galatians 5:2 and compare it with Galatians 5:4 as one example. To see a clear description of this heresy, please, I mean, please, I beg you to carefully read: Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, and Acts of the Apostles 15:24, and then look at the verses in Galatians 5 again).
Three, the Bible actually teaches that "
grace and works" act in harmony together and they are intrinsically tied to one another.
Does grace reign (rule) through unrighteousness or sin?
No.
While we can be forgiven of sin (unrighteousness) by accepting Jesus as our Savior, seeking His forgiveness, and believing in His death & resurrection on our behalf, God's grace does not reign or rule in unrighteousness (or unrighteous living) after we are saved by His grace.
The Bible says,
"...even so might grace reign [rule] through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21).
Does the grace of God teach us ungodliness and worldly lusts?
No.
11 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (Titus 2:11-12).
So the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world. Living righteously and godly is synonymous for doing good works. In short, the grace of God teaches us to do works of faith (or good works).
What is the purpose or reason Christ died for us?
Ephesians 5:25-27 says,
25 "...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27).
In other words, Christ died for us so as to cleanse us with the washing of the water of the Word (Scripture) so that we believers can be holy and without blemish. Can you live holy and without blemish by the sanctification of God's Word (the Bible) without works of faith? No.
Here is a connection between Grace, and Works in one verse.
1 John 1:7 says,
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, ... the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Walking in the light = loving your brother, see 1 John 2:9-11. Loving your brother is a work. So 1 John 1:7 is saying that walking in the light (loving your brother, which is a work) is tied to the blood of Jesus Christ cleansing us from all sin. For 1 John 3:15 says whoever hates his brother is like a murderer, and no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
James 2:17 says faith without works is dead. Can a dead faith save anyone? No.
For even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). In fact, the only place where the words "faith only" or "faith alone" is used in the Bible, it is used in such a way that talks about how we are also justified by works, too. For James 2:24 says that we are justified by works and not by faith alone. So James condemns faith alone.
1 Corinthians 15:10 says that the reason why Paul was able to labor more than all his brethren was because it was the grace of GOD that worked within him. For it is why the prostitute woman kept kissing Christ's feet. She was so thankful that her many past sins were forgiven and it reflected in her actions and or love for the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 says God has chosen us to salvation by two things.
(a) Belief in the truth.
(b) Sanctification of the Spirit.
An example of the Sanctification of the Spirit can be found in Romans 8:13.
Jude 1:4 says that there are those who turn God's grace into a license for immorality. What does Jude 1:4 actually mean in your view?
I see it as anyone who thinks they can sin and still be saved because they have God's grace. Meaning, they think they cannot help but to sin, and or be fruitless for the Lord, and yet Jesus will forgive them anyways because they have a belief alone on Jesus as their Savior. But we know that God's grace reigns through righteousness, and that God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, etc.
I hope this helps you to understand where I am coming from.
Peace be unto you in the Lord.
Sincerely,
~ J.
Side Note:
Oh, and while you don't have to do so, personally, I usually post an "
Other (Please explain) option" in most of my polls so as to allow all people to share in the voting (if they desire to vote). But that is just me. Not every person is the same in this regards. In any event, please be well, and may GOD bless you today.