Is Grace and Works Mutually Exclusive

Efforts are sometimes made to make grace and works mutually exclusive.  Romans four verse four is often used “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” (Also consider Romans 11:5-6).  Is grace and law really mutually exclusive?  We will answer this question by a careful consideration of the scriptures, for they are the authority (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) in all spiritual matters, including this question.

Are we saved by Grace?  There is absolutely no question regarding this matter.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Paul declared that our justification was by grace “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).  We have redemption and forgiveness through the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).  There can be absolutely no question about the importance of grace in redemption and sanctification.

Now the question is does grace exclude all works (human action)?  If we mean works of merit, the answer would be yes.   “Not by works of righteousness which we have done…” Titus 3:5. “That not of ourselves…” Ephesians 2:8.  Yes, if we are referring to works of merit they are excluded.  If works of the Law of Moses are referred to, they also are excluded.  “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…” Galatians 2:16, But To suggest that grace excludes obedience to all law (God’s law of liberty) to appropriate His blessing and remain faithful to Him is absurd.

Jesus said “Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will off my Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 7:21).  When the people on Pentecost having heard the gospel preached asked, “men and brethren what shall we do?”  If it is all grace; Peter should have told them, “there is nothing for you to do, it is all of grace,” however, that is not what he said.  His instruction was, “repent and be baptized for the remission of sin” (Acts 2:38).  The great commission involves human response, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Grace and biblical works are not mutually exclusive, but are fully consistent if one rightly handles the word of truth.  (2 Timothy 2:15 A.S.V.)

Bill Cantrell