For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
2 Nephi 25:23
I have read, and used this verse many times as part of justification for the need of work in the plan of salvation. The good old works vs grace debate that loves to rage in christiandom. It was a debate I ran into often while on my mission. I would knock on a door and have someone answer and tell me that they had already been saved and it did not matter what they did anymore. My reply would have the flavor of what about your works? Then I would pull out my trusty James 2.
Eventually I learned that it is not just works, and not just faith. This time reading the verse and listening to the podcast "Don't Miss This Study" the impression came so very strong. You have all the great works and the strongest Faith, but it still not enough. It is through the Grace of Christ that we are saved. We can do everything possible and more but it is because of the sacrifice that Christ made I get to have eternal life. This is powerful, even when I do not measure up, Christ is the one that makes up the difference.
