Jesus Heals You All Ministries

The Apostle Paul clearly distinguishes between human effort and divine grace in his epistles. In the Old Testament, the Law aimed to draw people closer to God, but it devolved into mere tradition. People diligently pursued righteousness through works, yet this approach fell short. Paul thus emphasized the necessity of Christ for true righteousness, nullifying works-based justification. This truth we call God’s grace.

Yet James declares that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Paul and James do not contradict; they complement each other. Paul explains that human works failed to meet the Law’s righteous demands, so God intervened. Through divine grace, He fulfilled those demands, restoring humanity to right standing with Him.

This means divine grace enables right standing with God and empowers righteous living. Under the New Covenant, God declares us righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, granting power and authority for holy living—all by His grace.

The New Testament integrates divine grace and human effort: Grace equips believers so their efforts succeed. In the Old Testament, no such indwelling power existed, leaving humanity unable to please God or achieve justification.

Consider Paul’s words in Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP):

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].
13 For it is not your strength, but it is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfil your purpose] for His good pleasure.

Verse 12 highlights human effort to please God. Verse 13 reveals divine grace indwelling the believer, empowering that effort.

These truths are interdependent: Grace ensures human efforts succeed in pleasing God.

The Bible unveils this as a profound mystery (Colossians 1:26-27), yet today, lacking proper revelation, some churches stray.

Some overemphasizes works: “We must do this and that to please God—pray for hours, read the Bible extensively to earn blessings and grace.” They insist God responds only if we perform enough, or fear His anger if we falter daily. This contradicts Scripture’s clear teaching that no one is justified by works (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). Such doctrine traps believers in guilt and condemnation, blocking them from God’s overcoming power.

some abuses grace: “Under grace, live as you please—no guilt or condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1). Skip spiritual disciplines; everything comes freely. No need for transformation—repentance and grace suffice.” This fosters undisciplined living and erodes God-consciousness (Romans 6:1-2; Titus 2:11-12).

The Church must embrace the biblical balance: Human efforts please God precisely because divine grace—through Jesus Christ—empowers them.