Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

The order is always the same—at least in Christianity. Grace, followed by works. Paul writes to the Thessalonians of God’s loving grace, by which we receive everlasting consolation, by which our hearts are comforted and established. Sounds a whole lot like salvation, doesn’t it?

And the purpose of this grace? To establish those who receive grace in every good word and work.

First grace. Then good words and works. Always in that order, and neither without the other.

Learn this eternal lesson from Adam and Eve in the Garden. Did they need to do anything to be right with God? Nothing at all. They were in perfect love, peace, and relationship with God. What did they do to merit that standing? Nothing. God created them in that relationship. Yet they were given work to do. Tend the garden. To gain God’s love? Not at all. They already had it. They were given work to please God and to keep from being idle.

What do those who have been recreated in Christ Jesus (saved by grace) need to do to earn God’s love and favor? Nothing at all. They have it all, perfectly, completely, and eternally in Jesus. So why are Christians to be careful to maintain good works? To please Him who loves us, and to keep from being idle.

Grace, then works. Always both, and always in that order.