Ephesians 2:9 ~

Ephesians 2:9 “Not of works [efforts done by hand or mind], lest any man [you or I] should boast [to glory or brag].”

We cannot perform one single “work,” physically or mentally, to earn God’s forgiveness. We absolutely cannot work our way into Heaven. If we could, we would brag of ourselves and not of the forgiving power of God through His free gift. It is the "works" after the salvation experience that count for God.

Other reference verses: 2 Tim 1:9b “… not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”  (my emphasis); Titus 3:5a “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,” (my emphasis)