Question: While reviewing the superb answers to [this question about *free will*](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/54588/24204), I was inspired to leave [a comment for Ian](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/a/56596/24204) that I realized ought to be its own question. 

As I understand (and possibly misunderstand) Reformed theology, "works" are things that we do, and as such are not included in that which provides justification nor salvation. I then consider the act of will that is making a choice to open one's heart to Jesus Christ, a decision that I finally made in my late 40's to accept salvation through Him alone. Thus began my walk in Faith (though I keep stubbing my toes on those rocks in the road ...). It appears to me that my choice, my decision to accept Salvation through Jesus Christ is a Work since it is something that involved my agency. 

From a more Determinist and Calvinist perspective, how does my acceptance of Jesus Christ *not* classify as a Work, since it was something that I did but that I could have chosen not to do? (If other Reformed denominations view this differently, that perspective would also be appreciated in contrast). 

From my perspective, I feel like I've tripped over a contradiction in the general case of not being saved nor justified by Works, yet it took my agency to accept Christ as my Savior. (It is quite possible that I simply don't understand the theology well enough, hence the question). 

How does the Reformed/Calvinist theology resolve this (seeming) contradiction? 

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I am under the impression that there are other Reformed denominations than Calvinist, but that may be wrong so the bottom line question needs to be answered from the PoV of Calvinist/Reformed theology. (I am seeking more help in chat to get my terminology right on this). I note that [this question is related](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/47011/24204) to my question in addressing the free will issue.

Answer: 
When Scripture talks of gaining salvation "by works" as opposed to "by faith" what I think it is really driving at is the distinction between gaining salvation as a *free gift* and *earning* salvation.

When you exercised faith in Christ you were saved, but you didn't *earn* salvation by believing. 

Suppose Bill Gates says to me "Come knock on my door tomorrow afternoon at 3pm and I will give you $10m". And suppose I believe him, knock on his door at 3pm, and he gives me $10m. Did my believing gain $10m? Yes. Did my believing *earn* the $10m? Of course not, it was a gift, I didn't do anything to earn it.

So it is that believing is not a work, because when we do a work we earn the reward as our right; we have a right to expect the wage. 

So though we have to do something to receive salvation (viz, believe) we do not work anything, we cannot work anything to receive salvation. The gift of salvation is vastly greater in value than anything we can ever do to get it.

This, I think, is the sense in which faith is not a work.

I cannot claim that this is either uniquely or specifically a reformed/calvinist perspective: I can only say that I write it as a calvinist.
First, I am not a Calvinist and do not subscribe to Reformed theology, but my theology in this case would likely align with Reformed belief, although I haven't verified this. My perspective may fall under your category of "other perspectives."

Romans 4 addresses the issue directly.

Verse 2-5 (emphasis mine),

> 
> For **if** Abraham was justified **by works**, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “**Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.**” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But **to the one who does not work, but believes** in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness
> 
> 
> 

Here we have **works and belief contrasted**. Works and faith are also contrasted in Ephesians 2. It is important to note these contrasts, while also avoiding the neglect of passages that call those of the faith to good works. Believers are called to good works, but that's always after believing, which is not a work but could be considered a position or disposition. The position is "in Christ, by faith."