How are we quickened together with Christ: by works or by grace?
We are quickened together with Christ not by works, not by joining something, and not by doing something, but by grace—the unmerited favor of God. Scripture declares we are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, not of works, so that no one may boast. It is God's gift.
Les teaches that God has quickened us together with Christ, and it is not by works, not by joining something, not by doing something, but by grace—the unmerited favor of God. So it is by grace you are saved. He also points to being raised up together and made to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. Though we do not feel like we are sitting in heaven, as far as God is concerned we are already seated in the heavenlies in the person of Christ. This is beyond the average person's mentality, but the book declares it and we better believe it. Then verse 8 and 9 say, For by grace are you saved through faith; not of yourselves; not any work you and I can do; it is a gift; not of works, lest any man should boast. Les illustrates that heaven would be boring if every believer told what they did to get there. Every believer will only be able to claim the same thing: the finished work of the cross, faith plus nothing. That leaves no room to boast; even faith plus work would give room to brag.