Connect Romans 11:6 with Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by grace. Setting the spotlight on grace Romans 11:6: “And if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Romans 11:6 — Grace stands alone • Paul is addressing God’s preservation of a faithful remnant in Israel. • His point: God’s choosing is grounded wholly in grace—no human deed can bolster or dilute it. • If works were added, grace would stop being grace; the two cannot mingle without cancelling each other. Ephesians 2:8-9 — How grace saves • Salvation flows from the same grace Romans 11:6 defends. • Faith is the channel, never the cause. • “Not of yourselves” eliminates any room for personal merit. • “Gift of God” underscores that salvation originates entirely in Him. • “Not by works” echoes Romans 11:6, protecting the purity of grace and removing grounds for boasting. Thread that ties them together 1. Source: Both passages anchor salvation in God’s unearned kindness. 2. Means: Faith alone receives what grace alone provides. 3. Exclusion: Works are excluded so that grace retains its full meaning and God receives full glory. Key observations — Grace versus works • Mutually exclusive: the moment works enter the equation, grace exits (Romans 11:6). • Boasting barred: if any part were earned, glory would shift from God to us (Ephesians 2:9). • Gift language: gifts are accepted, not achieved. Supporting witnesses • Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” • 2 Timothy 1:9 — “He has saved us and called us… not because of our works, but by His own purpose and grace.” • Romans 4:4-5 — wages versus gift: believing is counted as righteousness apart from works. • John 1:12-13 — new birth is “not of human will, but of God.” Practical takeaways • Assurance rests on God’s character, not on fluctuating performance. • Gratitude replaces striving; obedience flows from being accepted, not to gain acceptance. • Evangelism centers on announcing a finished gift, not prescribing self-improvement plans. Common stumbling blocks answered • “Won’t grace encourage sin?” Romans 6:1-2 shows the opposite; genuine grace unites us to Christ, producing new desires. • “Don’t we need works for final salvation?” Works are evidence, not cause (James 2:17); they vindicate faith before people but never earn favor before God. • “Isn’t faith itself a work?” Faith is resting, not earning (Romans 4:16); it’s the empty hand that receives the gift. How grace transforms daily living • Frees from legalistic fear—service becomes joyful worship. • Fuels humility—awareness that everything good is received, not achieved. • Empowers forgiveness—those forgiven much extend the same grace to others. |
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