Romans 11:6 “And 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.”
In theological professions, “grace is no more grace” when the profession of it credits or requires, even the slightest, “work” on the part of the believer to become Eternally Saved to our Lord’s Heaven or to maintain their Eternal Salvation. It is most certain that the Children of God are blessed in this present life for their obedient “works”; to wit, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:19). But, Paul is making the point that, as far as our Eternal Salvation is concerned, “grace” and “works” are exact opposites. If we are Eternally “saved by grace”, as the entire Word of God teaches, then our “works” neither contribute to nor diminish God’s Choice of His People in “the election” “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). In Romans Chapter Eleven, Paul is emphasizing that “the election” is the same for the Children of Israel as it is for the Gentiles, the ones who are saved to Eternal Heaven are exactly the same ones that He “hath chosen” (Ephesians 1:4) in “the election” “before the foundation of the world”, and their Salvation to Eternal Heaven is Perfectly Secure in Jesus Christ. In the Eternal Purpose of God, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28), “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)! Paul had just told us that “… the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth …” (Romans 9:11). However, there was indeed a Great Work required to “save” the Children of God to Eternal Heaven, and our Beloved and Greatly Adored Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God did this Great Work and certified that He, and He alone, had “finished” it (John 19:30). Before He was born, the angel told Joseph “she [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21), and then just before our Lord gave His Precious Life on the Cross, He plainly declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30); that is, all the necessary “work” to “save his people from their sins” is fully and finally “finished” for all the Children of God! His “work” is so securely “finished” that He gave us this Sovereign Promise, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” (John 6:39)!