Salvation Not by Works by C. P. Böllman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 36.

Salvation Not by Works.

By C. P. Böllman

THE Bible teaches salvation only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Said the apostle Peter: “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” And the testimony of the Saviour himself was: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

This truth has been the keynote of the gospel in all ages of the world. “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Gal. 3: 6. Again, in the same chapter we read that Christ was made a curse for us “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Verse 14. And not only so, but the Lord by the mouth of Habakkuk had long before declared that “the just shall live by faith.” Hab. 2: 4.

But the divine declaration that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” is ignored and very many claim for themselves and others the boon of eternal life because of some noble traits of character,—because of wealth, position, learning, or philanthropy. How many there are who say, “If I do as I would be done by, I shall be saved!” They quite forget the words of the apostle: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast,” and expect eternal life upon their own merits! Either such persons are terribly mistaken or else an inspired apostle mis-stated the case when he made the statement recorded in Acts 4: 12. But notwithstanding such plain Bible declarations, if a noted statesman, or a brave soldier, or a noble philanthropist dies; forthwith, instead of leaving him with God, the pulpit, and the press (both secular and religious) unite in explaining how such a person can be saved without faith in Christ!

Perhaps no better illustration of this can be found than in the case of a noted Jewish philanthropist who died about a year since. In regard to his case the Christian at Work says—

“Character nowadays counts for more than creed. It was this idea which constrained such champions of orthodoxy as Dr. A. A. Hodge of Princeton, and Dr. Chambers of this city, and Dr. Curry, as well as other eminent theologians, to acknowledge recently that such a noble and true-hearted philanthropist as Sir Moses Montefiore, although rejecting the historic Christ, might be saved; because he had, as appeared from his spirit and good deeds, accepted the essential Christ.”

That is to say that by a proper use of money a man may purchase eternal life! But if one can be saved without Christ, why may not all? If the proper use of great riches entitles a man to the favor of God and to eternal life, would not a like use of small means perform a like work? Or, about how much wealth must a man possess in order that he may purchase the gift of God with money? See Acts 8: 20, 21.

The Saviour said of the poor woman who cast in her two mites, that she had cast in more than the rich who had only cast in of their abundance, while she had given “all her living.” There is far more true philanthropy among “the poor of this world rich in faith” than among the rich in this world’s goods; and yet, with the prophet, every follower of Christ is ready to say: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64: 6.

The apostle Paul taught that “by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” And again he says: “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” That is to say, that if salvation were possible by any other means, then the death of Christ was unnecessary. And Paul elsewhere says: “If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” But because a law once broken cannot justify the transgressor, therefore justification cannot be by works and must be by faith in Christ.

The Scriptures declare that “all have sinned.” The eminent statesman, the brave soldier, or the “true-hearted philanthropist” is no exception; and if it could be shown that a single individual can by any means atone for his own sins and render himself meet for eternal life, then it could be shown that every one might be saved in the same way. But if the gospel be true, then the idea of salvation outside of Christ is not true.

But it may be said, This salvation is not outside of Christ, for it is only the “historic Christ” that is rejected, while the “essential Christ” is accepted. But who is this “essential Christ?” Said the Saviour: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Then whatever else may be non-essential, if we receive the Saviour’s testimony we must hold that belief in the Son is absolutely essential, for he says: “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” But who is the Son? Let the Scriptures answer: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom . . . say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven.” Matt. 16: 13-17.

Do the Christian at Work and its “champions of orthodoxy” mean to say that Jesus the Son of God is not the “essential Christ?” “Dare they say plainly that his rejection is not a bar to salvation? Do they mean to teach that “true-hearted” philanthropy obviates the necessity of becoming a new creature in Christ? Of such teachings the apostle said: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel; which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1: 6-8.

True character “counts for more than creed;” but how only can any individual obtain a really righteous character? Who alone is the Christian’s righteousness? Says the apostle: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Phil. 3: 8, 9.

Again: in writing to the Corinthians, Paul says: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 1: 30, 31. But why should the Christian glory only in Christ? Because all his good works are wrought in him. Said the Saviour to his disciples: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Good works are a Christian duty; and he who has true faith will abound in them. Says James: “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” And Paul testifies that we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” But it is nevertheless true that “by grace are ye saved through faith;” for it is written: “When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do.” Truly “the just shall live by faith.” C. P. BÖLLMAN.