Either grace or works

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.What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  Just as it is written: - Acts 11.5-6

So how can we be saved? Is it our works? Is it by the grace of God? Is it by some kind of mixture of both?

This debate seems to have been going on forever. Paul writes that we are saved by grace apart from works. James writes about faith plus works. How can that be? Paul says here that if salvation comes by works there is no need of grace and that if it comes by work there is no need for grace. Paul later writes to the Galatians that if works could save us that Jesus died for nothing. It can’t be a mixture of both.

How do we explain James then?

As we read through the James passage we find that true faith always proves itself with works. Without works there is no indication of grace. Grace awlways proves itself through works. With no works that supposed faith is a dead faith and God’s grace has yet to be poured out.

There is nothing we can do to save ourselves or to keep ourselves saved. That is purely accomplished by the grace of God through faith. But once that happens we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ and ordained to walk in good works.