NOT OF WORKS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jun 21, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 25.

“NOT OF WORKS.”

By G.

MEN are not saved because they keep the commandments of God; they keep the commandments because they are saved. That is, because by faith in Christ their sins (transgressions of the commandments) have been forgiven, and by His grace through faith they are kept from further transgression. His positive word is, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” The man who does not by faith keep the commandments of God is not saved from sin.

Neither do men grow in grace because of their good works; but they abound in good works when they have been purified from evil works by faith in Christ. He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” The evil spirit must first be cast out of the sinner before the Holy Spirit can dwell in him; and not until he is possessed of the Holy Spirit can he accomplish anything that will be placed to his credit in heaven. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

No work that any one does with a primary view to personal gain will ever be recognized in heaven as a good work. Christ “went about doing good,” but not for Himself. His sole aim was the glory of God and the benefit of His needy fellow-creatures. And it is well to reflect that a growth in grace is intimately connected with a growth “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” To know Him is eternal life. Whoever abounds in the knowledge of Christ—the personal, experimental knowledge of Christ—will also abound in good works.

Some one has truthfully said, “If the amount of energy lost in trying to grow were spent in fulfilling the conditions of growth, there would be a far greater increase of spirituality than is now experienced in the church.” To make a special effort to grow for the sake of personal benefit is nothing short of selfishness, and will lead one to attempting self-measurement by the rule of good works, and this is always deceptive. When one attempts to measure his own growth by what he does, or by what he is attempting to do, he is then looking away from Christ, and his own stature becomes unduly magnified.

All the credits that men get in the ledger of heaven are because of their faith. Abraham was given credit for righteousness, but it was because of his faith. Only through his faith did he ever do anything that was counted creditable in heaven. Of all men, Christ alone perfectly kept the commandments of God, and His righteousness is imputed to the child of faith. Therefore the commandments of God are the standard of righteousness, and obedience is the proof of faith. “All His commandments are righteousness,” and “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

“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.”