“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:5-6).
When is grace not grace? Paul’s answer is when it is based on works. We love to think that we earn what we get. I have often heard a quotation that some think comes from the Bible, but it doesn’t. Some say, “God helps those who help themselves.” The Bible tells of a God who does much better than that. God helps those who can’t help themselves.
No matter how much we’d like to think that we have earned our salvation, we haven’t. Jesus did the hard part and we simply believe. Once we mix works with faith, Paul said, grace is no longer grace. That means we don’t deserve the credit for our salvation—Jesus does.
If someone gave me an expensive gift that I couldn’t afford there would be something insulting by my taking the coins out of my pocket and offering them in exchange for the gift. Don’t do that with God. Salvation was out of reach of any of us until God made it a gift of His grace. Just say “Thank You” and give Him the praise He deserves. To think that I helped deserve the gift of salvation by what I have done is to make grace no longer be grace.
