GOOD WORKS REQUIRED OF ALL.
By Mrs. A. W. Heald
THE apostle Paul said, "Man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28), while James writes, "Faith without works is dead." James 2:20. These seemingly conflicting statements are more fully explained in the following passage: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" Here we learn that faith and works are complementary, each serving to complete the other. Jesus Christ, our perfect Pattern, abounded in good works. He said, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34. The boundless work in which the infinite Father and Son are engaged passes the comprehension of our finite minds. The single work of redemption as revealed in the Scriptures surpasses our highest powers, and should we live through all eternity, we can never fathom its depth. And yet it is given to men to share in promoting this great work. When our risen Lord was about ascending into Heaven, he said to his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." All who accept this divine commission, humbly following in the footsteps of the Master, become co-laborers with him in the great work of saving souls. It is not given to all Christians to preach the word, but all are required to abound in good works, whereby the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ may be manifest; and those709who are called to serve in a humbler sphere are no less needful in the divine plan. "If she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work"—such also are co-workers with God. Are we sufficient in ourselves for these things? Not so; Christ said, "Abide in me, . . . for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:4, 5. Let us then put away all pride and self-righteousness, looking humbly unto God for guidance. He has promised by the mouth of his servant David, "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way." Ps. 25:9. Let us also seek that "faith which worketh by love." We should be actuated by the same spirit of love whereby God the Father gave his only begotten Son,—and Jesus Christ, "having loved his own . . . loved them unto the end." When impelled by this divine principle of love, the humblest work is glorified into service for the Master. Without it, even martyrdom is of no avail. "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, [Revised Version] it profiteth me nothing." 1 Cor. 13:3. This motive alone will establish us in that day when "every man's work shall be made manifest; . . . and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide . . . he shall receive a reward." 1 Cor. 3:13. "Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."