“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
(Romans 11:6)
In this passage in Romans 11, Paul draws a line that cannot be blurred without destroying the truth of the gospel itself. That is to say, grace and works cannot share the ground of justification. If salvation is by grace, then it is not by works; if by works, then grace ceases to be grace. The issue is not whether good works have any place in the Christian life, but whether they contribute anything to the sinner’s acceptance before God. And Scripture answers that question decisively: they do not.
This truth protects the glory of God. The true gospel gives the whole praise of salvation, from beginning to end, to divine mercy. Election, calling, faith, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and final glory all arise from grace. Man contributes no independent merit that completes what God has begun. Even faith to believe is granted us by God.
So to make inherent righteousness, obedience, or any human performance part of the basis of acceptance is to confuse grace with works. Paul’s language leaves no middle category. Grace loses its nature the moment human merit is introduced as a contributing cause.
The same is true of eternal life. The good works of believers are necessary fruits of grace and never duties owed to God or payments that place Him in debt. Because when believers have done what is commanded, they remain servants who have only done their duty.[1] Our obedience is evidence of grace, but it is not the purchase price of our salvation.
We must guard this truth with all diligence, for false teaching is often introduced with just a small shift in emphasis. For example, grace may still be elevated while man’s merit is quietly added beside it. But at the point that works are made a part of the ground of acceptance, the gospel has been altered at its foundation.
Even where doctrine is sound, we can so easily slip and begin to lean upon performance, compare ourself with others, or draw confidence from spiritual progress. The prayer of the believer must therefore be that grace remain grace in our salvation as well as our daily dependence on God.
Contemplations:
- Tear Down Every Hidden Claim to Merit. I can easily profess salvation by grace while still looking inward for reasons to feel acceptable. So help me remember that whatever good is found in me has also come from You, that I may keep my faith resting in Christ alone.
- Keep Christ from Becoming Only Part of My Confidence. I do not want to speak of Christ as sufficient while quietly adding something of my own beside Him. Let His righteousness remain the whole ground of my justification. Never let me forget that Christ does not supplement my righteousness; He is my righteousness before You.
- Put My Works in Their Proper Place. Make me zealous for holiness without making me dependent on holiness as the ground of acceptance. Let my obedience flow from gratitude, love, and the power of Your Spirit. Let good works remain what You appointed them to be… fruits of grace and expressions of Your love.
- Preserve Me from a Gospel That Flatters Man. Keep me from being impressed by any doctrine that enlarges man’s contribution at the expense of grace. And make me steadfast to reject every system that makes salvation depend on anything other than You alone.
Prayer (Supplication):
Gracious Father, keep me standing in the true grace of God.
Preserve me from every form of self-righteousness, both obvious and hidden. Do not let me confess justification by grace while inwardly leaning on my own obedience, discipline, usefulness, or spiritual progress.
Teach me to distinguish clearly between the ground of salvation and the fruit of salvation. Let Christ alone remain the foundation of my acceptance before You. Keep me from adding even the smallest imagined merit of my own to His perfect righteousness.
Make me diligent in good works, but never dependent on them for justification. Let holiness arise from Your Spirit, flow from Your love, and return all praise to You.
Guard me from false teaching that confuses grace and works. Keep me firm where Your Word is plain and convict me where my own heart is tempted to compromise.
When I have obeyed, keep me from pride. When I have failed, keep me from despair. In both conditions, direct me back to Christ.
Let grace remain grace in my doctrine, in my conscience, in my worship, and in my hope.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
Rom. 4:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5; Rom. 3:20
[1] Arthur Hildersam, CLII Lectures Upon Psalm LI (London: George Miller for Edward Brewster at his shop at the great North door of Paul’s at the sign of the Bible, 1635), 110.
