◄ What Does Romans 11:6 Mean? ►

The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace and that we access this salvation through faith: "For you are saved by grace through faith." Then the Bible tells us that salvation has nothing to do with us. Salvation has nothing to do with our good works, our kind deeds, our generous nature, our offerings in the collection plate, our being baptised in water, our attending a confessional, our going to church on Sunday or Saturday or any other day of the week, our reading the Bible, our saying prayers (because all those things are works). The Bible tells us that salvation is by grace alone. Salvation is nothing to do with ourselves, it has nothing to do with rules, regulations, or laws we have to keep, for salvation is by grace, and it is a free gift from God to all who have believed in Jesus: "Salvation is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."

If salvation is by grace, then salvation is not by works! It is one or the other, but it can't be both. If salvation has anything to do with works, then it can’t possibly be said to come by grace. The word works contradicts the meaning of word grace and the word grace runs counter to the word works – for works and grace are in complete opposition to each other, the two words are at variance with one another. If salvation was given to us because of the works we did, then you can’t possibly say that salvation is a gift of grace! A gift is a gift, and if one has to work for a gift, then it is no longer a gift, because is has been gained through works.

Similarly, if salvation were gained as a result of doing some form of work or works, then it cannot be considered as a free gift of grace from God. The meaning of works and grace are diametrically opposite with each other. The meanings are incompatible. In Romans chapter 11, Paul is explaining that the grace that has been extended to the Gentiles during this Church age applies equally to the remnant of Jews in this Church age. The remnant of Jews that trust Jesus as their Messiah during this Church age become part of the Church of God, the Body of Christ, and like Gentile believers are saved by grace, not works of the Law.

Paul could not have been clearer in explaining to the believers in Rome that salvation is by grace and that salvation is nothing to do with works. Paul told us that since salvation is through God's kindness, and is given to us because of His amazing grace, then we have not received it by our good works, for had works played any part in our salvation then we would not have received salvation by God's grace. 

Paul could not have been clearer when He told us in Romans 11: "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."

Loving Father, thank You that Your salvation is a completely free gift of grace, which I do not deserve, but which You gave to me simply because I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that there is nothing I could do to gain it and nothing I have to do in order to keep it. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN.