Striving and Grace

Since works are necessary for salvation, would a person be saved by his works or by the grace of the Holy Spirit working in Him?

The Answer  A person can not be saved by his striving alone “without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5  But grace would not save us unless our will responds to it.

Examples  The example of Joshua and Moses (Exodus 17:8-11)  The example of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-51)

How we understand the relationship  Grace offers us help, and we have the option to accept or refuse, to work or not.  Grace is a weapon offered us. We have the option: either to fight with it and conquer, or neglect it and meet the adversary disarmed and be defeated.

The necessity of striving  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1  “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” Hebrews 12:4  “He who endures to the end will be saved” Matthew 10:22  “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” Colossians 1:29

How then do we understand: “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy”? Romans 9:16

Putting related verses together  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” 2 Timothy 4:7-8  “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me – brethren … I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:12-14

Also…  “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things … therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty … But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27  “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” 1 Corinthians 3:7

Conclusion  The meaning is that we can not attain the kingdom just by our will or struggle, without God’s work within us, without the help of His grace, and without the communion of the Holy Spirit.