Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Paul in these two verses again shows us the law of works vs the law of faith. The law of works transforms grace into a debt. It says to God because of what I have done you now owe me a debt of salvation. Any condition that you place upon man to be saved does this very thing to the grace of God. True grace says that you cannot do anything to be right before God because it has already been done. God in the body and soul of His Son was reconciling sinners unto Himself and that work, or reconciliation has been completed. You cannot add to a finished work. Anything added, down to the smallest of decisions by the sinners makes grace into a debt.
Paul again contrasts the religion of works and conditions to faith; the law of faith. This law of faith is at the heart of Paul’s teaching. God satisfied His wrath in the propitiation that was the sacrifice of Christ. To say that a sinner is still under the wrath of God until they believe or decide or are baptized or any other condition is to believe contrary to the very word of God that Paul has laid before us under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Do not make God a debtor, let the finished work of Jesus Christ stand on its own as it is all God the Father looks to for satisfaction. By that satisfaction and that satisfaction only are we justified before God.