Grace Works
(Romans 6:14 KJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
There are two "fors" in this verse. The first for is that sin's lordship over us has ended. The second for reveals the basis on which this release from sin's dominion is realized in our lives.
We are not under the law, not under a performance based system that first demands duty and then offers blessing. Instead we are under grace, which freely bestows the blessing first, knowing that the blessing will cause fruit to follow naturally.
It is our identification with Christ at Calvary that frees us from sin. In Romans 6, we learn that our freedom from sin is based on the fact that we have been crucified with Christ.
(Romans 6:6-7 KJV) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. {7} For he that is dead is freed from sin.
In Romans 7, we learn that same identification with Christ at Calvary had made us free from the law.
(Romans 7:3-4 KJV) So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. {4} Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
To be "free from the law" means that Christ delivered us from trying to "be good" in order to be accepted by God - no longer is it necessary to be under external enactment, under certain conditions of performance and duty.
"In Christ" we have an eternal standing.
(1 Corinthians 15:56 KJV) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
(Titus 2:11-12 KJV) 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;
The Christian life is not earning credits and blessings from the Lord. Instead it is the grateful response to what He has already done for us in that He had given us everything in Christ.
Grace is not against good works! It simply does not bless on the basis of good works. We receive blessings from God based solely on the merits of His Son - blessings freely given to us in Christ.
The good works the law demanded, grace produces.
The reason that we do good works is different under grace than under the law:
(Matthew 6:14-15 KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: {15} But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: {32} And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
As we understand how God values and esteems us in Christ, that understanding will motivate us to serve one another.
(Galatians 5:13-14 KJV) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. {14} For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
As we "live under grace", we are able to produce the very good works that the law demanded, but which we we not able to accomplish under that system.
(Galatians 3:10 KJV) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Our motivation is a knowledge of love of God so clearly demonstrated for us in Christ. The love of Christ constrains us not our love for him. Our motivation is love and gratitude.
(Romans 12:1-2 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. {2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This is not a command; Paul beseeches us by the mercies of God, brings about a submissive heart.
(Romans 5:5 KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God always go together, It is our faith resting in the facts of Calvary that allows the Holy Spirit to empower those truths to transform our lives.