Salvation by Works by C. A. Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 1, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 34.

“Salvation by Works”

By C. A. Smith

A MEETING was held in San Jose, Cal., not long ago, which was convened at the invitation of the “First Spiritual Union to do honor to Dr. Geo. B. Warne, of Chicago, president of the National Spiritualist Association of the United States, and who is also one of the board of management of the Morris Pratt Institute, the Spiritualist college at Whitewater, Wis.” It is thus evident that the doctor is a recognized representative teacher among the Spiritualists, and his statements may be justly taken as rightly representing the belief of that people.

Dr. Warne was the speaker of the evening at the meeting mentioned, and in his speech stated the “salient points of Spiritualism.” It would be interesting to notice all the points he gave, but it is not best to take the space to do so. However, there is one point to which we would call attention. The doctor stated that one of the “salient points” of Spiritualism is:

“Salvation by works and not by blood of man or beast.”

An open, frank statement, isn’t it? But it is entirely antagonistic to various statements of the Scripture. For instance, we read: “By grace are ye saved, . . . not of works.” Eph. 2:8, 9. In looking at the question from the Christian standpoint, one would think that any person really seeking salvation would gladly accept it as the gift of God’s grace instead of obtaining it by his own works; and especially so, when we consider that all the righteousness one’s works, apart from Jesus Christ, can give him is in God’s sight “as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6. This being so, what kind of salvation can our own works bring us?

“Salvation by works,”—ah, it leaves Jesus Christ out of the question, and makes man his own saviour! But, besides that of Jesus, “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Of course, if they can gain salvation by their own works, they have indeed “whereof to glory,” and it is not of grace, for God owes it to them. Rom. 4:1-5. Then, too, what a wonderful preeminence it gives them over the people who are “saved by grace”! They are not capable of gaining it “by works.” Paul and all the apostles needed to be “saved by grace,” but the people this gentleman represents are to be saved “by works.” Yes, if they could gain salvation by this means, they would have “whereof to glory, but not before God,” for it will never be gained in that way. “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.” Eph. 2:8, 9.

Again, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Verse 13. But the people represented by this man claim to receive no benefits from the “blood of man or beast.” Surely here is a teacher who has “counted the blood of the covenant . . . an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace.” Heb. 10:25.

At the close of the book of Hebrews is this benediction: “God . . . through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will.” Heb. 13:20, 21. Truly, this is a fitting up to do good works that will be according to God’s will. What folly to trust to anything less!

C. A. SMITH.