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I'd like to start by saying that the Bible does NOT contradict itself. Also, grace and works are not mutually exclusive.

What is grace? "The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings" (from Google)

What are works? "Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result." (Also from Google)

We all have sinned. (Romans 3:23) Because of this we deserve death. Jesus died to cleanse us from our sins. When we accept the sacrifice He made for us, we are given what He deserved, life eternal.

So you are a sinner. You accept Jesus Christ and are baptized, which is a public confession that Christ is your Lord and Savior. Salvation has been attained. You can ONLY be saved by grace.

But what happens now that you are a follower of Christ? Does your life end here? No! You must continue to live but not in the way you used to live but by following the loving commandments of your LORD.

HERE AND ONLY HERE is where works are involved. Christ saved you by giving you grace, but now because He saved you by grace you must walk as He walked and must persevere in the Christian walk, through works, the works of Jesus Himself.

I will illustrate an example. You are speeding through the freeway and are pulled over by a police officer. You are guilty because you have broken the law (sin). The police office lets you off with a warning (grace). Do you go back to speeding? No! Does the officer letting you off mean now you can speed all you like? Absolutely not! Out of respect and gratefulness that you were let off with a warning, you obey the law (works).

God has given you grace, through the redemptive blood of Christ. But because Jesus died, are you now free to go back and do what condemned you to death and was paid at such a high cost? ABSOLUTELY NOT! If you truly accepted the sacrifice of Jesus and wish, out of gratefulness, to do His will, your works must display that you have been saved. Works are the fruit of true conversion.

In conclusion, salvation could ONLY be attained by the grace of God. Once saved works are the RESULT of Christ living in you through the Holy Spirit.