grace and hard work

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

For some reason or another, somewhere along the way in my walk with God, I came to the conclusion that hard work was contrary to grace.  I thought that if my hard work causes something to change, then it was me that made it happen and not God.  The most common definition for grace is “unmerited favor” from God.  It is also used in connection with God’s power several times in the New Testament.  It is the exact opposite of something that is earned or “worked for” in the sense of our standing with God.  (For example: Rom 11:6  “But if it (being chosen by God) is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” So, if our being justified with God through Christ is based on what we do, then it cancels out grace.  So, this may be where I got the idea.  However, being justified with God through Christ doesn’t mean I am not work work at anything anymore!)

Anyway, the above verse turned my misunderstanding on its head.  Paul says in this verse that God’s grace toward him was NOT in vain, BECAUSE he worked hard!  So, is it possible to flip that statement and to say that God could somehow give me His grace in vain?  If so, then the way to “make” God’s grace vain (if that was possible) would be NOT to work hard. The result here of God’s grace IS hard work!  And Paul makes a point to say about his hard work, “it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

God’s grace should cause me to work hard.  He has given me, without merit, the power to do incredible works for His glory. (Eph. 2:10)  AND His love for me is still (and forever) NOT based on what I do – so I have no fear of losing that – even if my work doesn’t seem to produce anything.  (2Cor.4:3-4)

So…with this said…. I need to get back to work.

🙂