Grace by its very nature excludes works. Paul argues : If by grace , then it is 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 11:16).One cannot earn, merit or pay for grace or else it would no longer be grace. Salvation can only be received from God as a gift of His grace by those who admit they neither deserve it nor can do anything to earn or merit it.
The Bible teaches that even the "righteousness" of a sinner is but "filthy rags" in God's sight. (Isaiah 64-6). Only after being saved can we,i n the power of the Holy Spirit, do good works ---not to earn our salvation , but because we love Him who saved us. To be saved, man must acklowledge his guilt and helplessness to save himself and must believe in what Christ has done, accepting His substitutionary payment of the penalty for sin. The Bible repeatedly states that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. "Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall all be saved. " (Acts 15:11) "By grace ye are saved". (Epesians 2:5.) "The grace of God that bringeth salvation."(Titus 2:11). "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (Romans 3:24).
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