Grace and works and race running

It seems like the eternal question among Christ followers is: If we are saved by grace, what's the point of good works? And, if good works are pointless because of grace, how can anyone fall away? The relationship between grace and living righteously has been questioned since the beginning of the church. "Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means!" "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

What are supposed to make of all this. We need to have faith. We need God's grace. We apparently need some action to accompany our faith. It's all quite confusing. Well, my bible teacher gave us a metaphor I have never heard before. He said that it's like God has already declared us perfect. We are not going to live life perfectly. Who among us can, even if they do everything else, fulfill Matthew 5:48? (Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.) No one can be perfect but God says that, in his eyes, we already are. It is as if we are getting ready for a race that looks very difficult and God says "I'm giving you the gold medal, now go run like a winner." We already have the win but how much harder would you run with this new confidence that you are going to win.

Christians- You are going to win. In fact, you've already won, now go race like it. One of my favorite favorite sayings is "We don't do works to be saved, but because we're saved" That is exactly what this is. What better way to thank your Father for his love and grace then to live by His law, to honor Him with your actions? Lastly, don't be discouraged when you mess up because you will mess up. Repent and go on. Jesus came to earth and died on a cross for you when you were lost in sin, why would you expect less from Him now that you are a washed in His blood?