Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works (2041), lest any man should boast.
G2041 ergon er'-gon From ergo? (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (458)
G458 anomia an-om-ee'-ah From G459; illegality, that is, violation of law or (generally) wickedness: - iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.
Paul's exhortation tells us that grace is God's gift to us - that our salvation is God's gift. We should be in abject awe at what the God of all creation has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We have NO reason to "boast" or pat ourselves on the back. HOWEVER, Jesus makes the distinction between OBEDIENCE and WORKS perfectly clear. And, just as in Paul's admonition "lest any man should boast", IF we obey God's law, we must still in all humility give God all the glory for His work in us. BUT, Jesus Himself says that if we "work iniquity", to depart from Him. It just doesn't get any clearer than His own words. For much more information, please see the links below.
