Israel have always been under a covenant program. If they did what God commanded, they were blessed. If not, they fell under a curse. The very essence of the law was built on a foundation of works. This is why the book of James hammers home the need to prove your faith with works. Even the need to endure in these works was needed to be able to enter into the Kingdom. There are many verses in the Gospels that demand the need to endure,
Matt.24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Further statements that emphasis this point are, that they had to prove their faith, or be counted worthy, or pick up their cross and follow, or sell all they had and follow their Messiah. Works and endurance were key to the Jewish existence and salvation.
One more example that can imply this is the parable of the faithful servants. The end of the parable reads as follows,
Matt.25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The servant that did not work at investing his portion (or talent) was cast outside the city as he was unprofitable. This is significant to notice as it is so different to our current dispensation. Some more scriptures that speak to the early Acts period and to those who were Kingdom gospel of the Jewish church in Jerusalem are,
2 Thess.1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God [Little Flock] for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
1 Pet.1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
The Kingdom gospel discussed above held nothing back regarding faithful work and endurance. Yet in stark contrast to this, we find that the grace dispensation has nothing to do with works and endurance, but rather with waiting.
Romans 8:23 ... waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
The reason why we wait in expectation is because Christ has done everything necessary to redeem us. We do not need to prove ANYTHING! We do not need to work out our eternal salvation in fear and trembling! (See full explanation here). We do not need to work and endure because all (that was necessary) was done by Jesus Christ on our behalf. Christ has satisfied the sin payment and by His work we are justified before God.
Unlike the participants of the Kingdom gospel and the gospel of God, who's salvation is tied into works that they had to merit, the gospel of grace requires no works and is utterly based on unmerited grace. God chooses to save us because of the work of His Son imputed to us by His choice.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
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