Is grace something we can earn? Are people able to earn some grace from God through their good deeds or perhaps even good thoughts? Do hours of meditation and prayer leave God wanting to give us more of his grace?

The simple answer: No!

Now why is that? Doesn’t God appreciate and bless those who are constantly seeking after him and doing their best in following his commandments?

Of course he does. God doesn’t withhold his good things from those who live righteously (Psalm 84:11). Jesus himself said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,” (Matthew 5:6). There are obviously blessings that come from living a godly life, but these blessings do not fall under the category of ‘grace’. The reason for this is because these particular blessings are merited or earned.

But the definition of grace is favor that is unmerited, or unearned. Built into the concept of grace is that it is completely separate from anything that can be acquired through one’s own merit.

The apostle Paul laid out exactly how grace functions in his letter to the Romans. In it, he contrasts grace and works:

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work (Romans 11:6).

Before dissecting this statement, we should first define what Paul means by “works.”

Earlier in Romans, Paul explains what it means to have something dependent on works. In Romans 4:4, Paul wrote,

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”

In this passage of Scripture, Paul contrasts biblical faith with a works-based righteousness. Previously, Paul explained how our salvation is dependent upon our faith (Romans 3:28). Now the apostle demonstrates how works are opposite to being saved by faith.

If someone works, then they are owed. Think about this in a modern setting. If someone mows a lawn for the agreed price of $25, once they are done with the job, that is the amount they are owed. The homeowner paying that amount would not be “grace” because he is giving the lawnmower what he earned—$25 dollars. This is what Paul meant by a “work” or “works.”

Thus, Paul stated that grace is no longer grace if something is by works. The two are contradictory. A work is, by Paul’s definition, merited and costly. Grace is a gift; it is unmerited and free of charge.

Eternal life is not earned like a paycheck but received as a gift of grace.

This is an excerpt from his book, Free Grace for Latter-Day Saints: How to Share Galatians With the Mormons (forthcoming).

_______________________
Please visit Cole Morganti's website here: Tri-Grace Ministries.