AMAZING GRACE

      "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work," Rom 11:6.

      This passage explicitly says that we cannot mix faith and works. Grace and works do NOT go together. They are not partners. Grace and works are not a team. They will not "yoke-up" in any kind of teamwork. Whatever is of grace is not of works, and whatever is of works is not of grace. Grace and works will not mix any more then sin and righteousness will mix.

      Are all works the same? Are all works bad? Are there any good works?

      "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day;the night is coming when no one can work," Jn 9:4.

      "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them," Eph 2:10.

      "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men," Titus 3:8.

      Obviously, there are TWO KINDS of works:

      1) The works of MAN.

      2) The works of GOD.

      And it makes a world of difference WHICH KIND OF WORKS we are talking about. The works of man and the works of God are not yokefellows. They will NOT pair-up and work as a team. Whatever is man's works is not God's works, and whatever is God's works is not man's works.

      However, "GOD'S WORKS" and "GOD'S GRACE" do go together. God's works and His grace are the same. Whatever is God's works is God's grace, and whatever is God's grace is God's works. Whatever God works in and through us is God's grace, whether it be salvation from hell initially or any act of service to God according to the Great Commission, Mt 28:18-20.

      The context is clear that Rom 11:6 is speaking of the works of the Law Covenant, which covenant when applied to sinful men always produces "flesh works," "our works," or "man's works," Rom 10:1-3.
      "What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks......" (Rom 11:7), because they did not seek it "by faith," Rom 10:1-4. Israel pursued the works of the Law Covenant according to the flesh which always produces flesh works, and flesh works will never mix with grace.

      Whatever is God's works is not man's works,otherwise the work is not God's work; and whatever is man's works is not God's works, otherwise the work is not man's work. This is not a play on words, but stating a clear fact as is done in Rom 11:6.

      1. Flesh works, Gal 3:3; 5:16-18; Rom 7:4-25.

      2. Our works, Rom 10:1-3; Titus 3:5; Isa 64:6.

      3. Law works, Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:10-12.

      4. Dead works, Heb 9:14; II Cor 3:7; Rom 7:7-25.

      1. Holy Spirit's Works, Gal 3:2-5; 5:16-17; Rom 8:1-15.

      2. Faith Works, Rom 9:30-33; 10:1-17; Rom 4.

      3. Grace Works, Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:16; 5:2; 6:14.

     4. Good Works, I Tim 2:20; 5:10,25; 6:18; II Tim 3:17; Titus 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14; Eph 2:10; et al.