In reading through 1 Peter today, I was noticing how many times Peter mentions how we are saved. The emphasis, according to Peter, is not on what we have done, but on what Jesus did on the cross and through the resurrection. This is not to say that we do not have a responsibility as believers. But, look at what Peter actually says throughout this letter.
1 Peter 1:3b "caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
"you were not redeemed with perishable things. . . .but with precious blood. . . .the blood of Christ." 1:18-19
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24
"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God. . ." 3:18
You notice that the emphasis in redeeming is on what Jesus did, first through the cross and then through the resurrection. Then, Peter exhorts us that since we are redeemed through this imperishable and blood of Christ, then we should respond by living holy lives. Peter tells us that our response to living in the world in which we live is that we should "gird our minds for action, keeping sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
This is the thing that people often bring up when you talk about how we are saved by grace. They say "Yes, but what about works?" We do have a responsbility." And that really is true. We have a response in our understanding for what Jesus has done for us. Grace is grace, but it is not free. Sometimes we must make tough choices. We must remember that God calls us to live lives that reflect that we know him. Does that mean that we will be perfect? Far from it. Rather, we know that we are not. It is with humility that we accept the grace and mercy of God knowing that we don't deserve it.
To read more:
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp
