What does the Bible teach about the relationship between works and grace?

The Bible teaches that grace and works are mutually exclusive, as light and dark. Grace is God's policy in dealing with humanity, where He does all the work, and there is no room for human effort. The attitude behind works is always pride, while the attitude that accepts grace is humility. This means that trying to earn or deserve God's favor through our actions is actually a form of pride, and will only lead to spiritual death. On the other hand, when we humble ourselves and acknowledge our dependence on God's mercy, He exalts us and works powerfully in our lives. As David wrote, 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart' (Psalm 51:17). We see this principle at work in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, where the latter was justified before God because he humbled himself, while the former was not. As Jesus said, 'Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted' (Luke 18:14). In summary, grace plus works is not grace, and our attitude of humility is essential for experiencing God's power in our lives.