Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

Good works ... One who is a Christian works under the same imperative compulsion as that which rested upon the Christ who said, "We must work the works of him that sent me" (John 9:4). Any theory which divorces the works a Christian must do from having any connection with his salvation is a false theory. It is true, to be sure, that even the good works of Christians are in no sense adequate grounds of God's justification lavished upon them in Christ; but they are conditions antecedent to eternal life, which may indeed, for cause, be waived by the Father in love, but which may not, under any circumstances, be rejected with impunity by arrogant man who simply decide they will do it "by faith alone." Most of the commentators who advocate the "faith only" heresy are very broadminded (!) in dealing with this verse. They say: "The essential quality of the new life is good works." "If we are not living a life of good works, we have no reason to believe that we have been saved by grace."[34] "Paul reminds us that works have a place in God's salvation."[35] Etc., etc. Well, what is that place? Paul spelled it out, thus:

God will render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but unto them that are factious and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek (Romans 2:6-9). Also see 2 Corinthians 5:10.

The truth is clear enough for all who wish to know it.

[33] Francis Foulkes, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Ephesians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1963), p. 77.

[34] W. G. Blaikie, op. cit., p. 64.

[35] Williard H. Taylor, Beacon Bible Commentaries, Vol. IX (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1965), p. 174.