“I DO the best I can;” or, “I hope to do better,” are expressions which we often hear when speaking to persons about their souls. It is the natural thought of a proud heart to do something for salvation. Many are so very ignorant, that they think that though some of their works are bad, yet that others are good, and that God will put the bad works into one scale, and the good ones into the other, and that if the good works preponderate, they will be saved; but if the bad works preponderate, they will be lost. Of course, such always flatter themselves that their good works will outweigh the bad, and are thus deceived. Others compare themselves with their neighbors, and think that they stand as good a chance as most, and a better chance than some; therefore they find no cause for fear. Again, there are not a few to be found who have addicted themselves to religious exercises, so diligently attended to various forma, and so regularly observed certain ordinances, as to trust to their Christianity as being of sufficiently good quality to ensure them heaven. But all such false refuges are leveled by one sentence of the Scriptures, that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9).) It is clear, that if a person could be saved by his own doings, those who think that they have attained to the required amount might reasonably boast over those who have not. But the apostle asks, “Where is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:27, 2827Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:27‑28).) It is a delusion, then, to trust to works of any kind for salvation, and, as we have seen, utterly condemned by the word of God. Besides, it is clear, that if man could have done one thing that God could accept at his hands, he could do more, and Christ need not have come into the world to save. Therefore we find the apostle saving, that “if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Gal. 2:2121I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:21).)
Alas! what a fatal mistake some are making. How often we are met by those who appear to be living proudly on their works. It was well said by an old Christian, that “man’s good works are only splendid sins.” The fact is, that “a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.” A man must be born again before he can render to God acceptable service. He must have eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, before he can rise above the atmosphere of bringing forth fruit unto death.
It is humbling to be obliged to take the place of utterly unclean, and thoroughly undone, before God— the whole head sick, and the whole heart faint; to confess, that from the role of the foot to the crown of the head we are full of wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores. Such, however, is the case; and well it is for those who acknowledge it to be their condition before God; for “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7).)
It may be that some will admit that this is the condition of many, but that such persons are capable of being improved, and that by moral training, reformation, and religious duties, be such good people that, alter a well-spent life of usefulness and benevolence, they will die happy, and be found worthy of heaven. This, however, is a fatal error, entirely opposed to the word of God, and most dishonoring to Christ; it denies that man is a fallen creature and is infidel in its very essence. Our Lord’s words to Nicodemus are applicable to such― “Except a man be born again [born from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:88The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)); or the testimony of an inspired apostle― “They that are in the flesh cannot please God.” “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20).) Nothing can expose the folly of putting a patch upon the old garment of fallen humanity, or of going about to establish a righteousness in the flesh, or of doing anything to make oneself acceptable with God. Salvation is therefore “not of works.”
How blessed it is to see God coming in in grace, to meet us in this low estate. His arm of power and heart of mercy brought salvation to us while we were enemies and without strength. Love―love to sinners―originating in God, is the spring of all our blessing. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we mere yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).) The death of Jesus the Son of God on the cross shows us how richly and suitably God met us when in our guilt and helplessness. It brought us everything, and demanded nothing. It manifested that God is for the sinner, and not against him; hating and condemning sin, but―O how wondrous! ―condemning our sin in His own Son, that we might come into His holy presence in the fullest peace and confidence. Precious truth! God in Christ the Saviour of the sinner, the Justifier of the ungodly who believe; as it is written, “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5).)
So long as an anxious soul fails to perceive that he cannot be saved by works of any kind, but simply and entirely through Christ, he will be constantly making efforts in the flesh, he will be struggling like a drowning man to save himself, instead of clinging to the life-boat by his side. He will turn from one list of duties or ordinances to another, but he will not get rest until he accepts Christ for his Saviour, and renounces himself and his doings thoroughly. The more he knows of Jesus and His finished work, the more he discovers that God has not only fathomed the depths of his evil heart, but fully met his need in every respect.
The following incident, related to me by a servant of Christ, illustrates the subject: ― “A friend of mine was a very good swimmer, and he had a companion who also was a good swimmer. They both swam so well that there was always a little question es to which was really the better. One morning my friend said, ‘I will swim out to that buoy, and go round it, and come back again.’ His companion said, ‘So will I.’ Well, my friend went out, swam round the buoy and came back again as fresh as possible; then his friend started, and got just out to the buoy, when his strength failed, and he began to paddle the water.
Those on shore saw him, and said, ‘He is playing;’ but others said, ‘No, he is drowning.’ And presently they heard faint cries of Help! help! and going up to my friend, I said, ‘Oh, sir, he is drowning; can’t you save him?’ When my friend saw he really was drowning, he swam out to him; and just as he came near, his head began to sink, but still he continued to beat the water. ‘Now,’ said my friend, ‘you’re drowning, leave off beating the water;’ but still he kept on at it, and, in reality, instead of helping him to keep above water, it was sending him under. My friend said, ‘Now, you must promise me one thing, that you will leave off doing anything yourself, and then I will save you.’ But still he kept beating the water. My friend swam round him, and said, You’re drowning, you’re drowning; leave off doing anything, and I will save you.’ After a long time, when the poor fellow saw he was only drowning himself, he gave up doing anything, and my friend came over to him, and said, ‘Now you have given up trying to save yourself I will save you. Put your hand on my shoulder.’ He did so, and then he was taken to land safely.”
Happy are those who can reckon all their righteousness as filthy rags, all their wisdom as foolishness, all their fancied strength as real weakness in the sight of God, and simply trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. Such have joy and peace in believing, and their desire and aim is to serve God, to honor Christ, and wait for His coming. They have present peace, and happy fellowship with God; they render willing service, and rejoice in hope of glory. How blessed! The and thus brought into liberty delights to sing, along the wilderness journey,
“I dare not work my soul to save,
That work my Lord has done;
But I would work like any slave,
From love to God’s dear Son.”