And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Step quietly into this moment: Paul is drawing a clear, bold line between how God chooses His people and any effort of our own (Romans 11:6). He points out that God’s choice—His “election”—is grounded fully in grace, not in human effort or merit. Picture two roads: one winding and steep with all our attempts to prove and earn, the other a gentle path freely paved by God’s kindness. Paul gently insists, you cannot travel both at once.

If God’s choosing is truly by grace—His free, undeserved love—then it simply cannot be explained by anything you or I do, say, or become (Ephesians 2:8-9). His sovereign pleasure stands at the heart of it. No resume, pedigree, or good deed tips the scale in our favor, because grace—by nature—is a gift, not a wage (Titus 3:5). Should we mix even a drop of human effort into the cup, grace would lose its flavor, turn into something else—a contract of obligation rather than a miracle of love.

Paul’s warning is gentle but clear: if we say God chooses us for anything we have done, then we strip grace of its power, and it isn’t grace anymore (Galatians 2:21). Like trying to blend oil and water, grace and works remain forever distinct in God’s ways of saving. This is not only true for God’s choice but for everything in salvation—our forgiveness, our welcome, our hope.

So take comfort—the sure foundation beneath your feet is the unwavering mercy of God, not your own shaky performance. Rest in the joyful truth: if God’s love found you through grace, it will also keep you, every day, by that same grace.

Verses Referenced:

• Romans 11:6
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Titus 3:5
• Galatians 2:21

This is a part of our 365 Ranked Bible Verses – A Verse for Every Day of the Year!

Come back daily to read a new popular verse, and its meaning, for insight and inspiration. Or you can get our 365 Ranked Bible Verses delivered ‘daily’ to your inbox. Just by subscribing below!