We were alienated from God, out of fellowship or communion with him and needed to be reconciled to him. 23 God of course, recognized this and when we were without hope sent his only begotten Son to die for us. 25 Grace is something good we receive which we didn't earn or we don't deserve. Salvation is not something one can work for. If it was, we would have something to boast about.
Some people think grace and works are a team that together bring salvation to a person.
This was a misconception that was prevalent in my day. Many, like myself had our roots in the Mosaic Law. But works and grace don't go together to get salvation or to keep salvation. Works are a product of salvation. Salvation is received by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.