After Adam and Eve had sinned and become conscious of their guilt, and of their nakedness “they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons” (Gen. 3:77And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7)), intending thus to make themselves presentable to God.
How many are still endeavoring to do the same. Call it what you may: “Doing the best I can,” “Trying to keep the ten commandments,” “Going by the golden rule,” or “Trying to follow Jesus.” No matter what shape you may make the apron, it is still the work of your hands.
No doubt Adam and Eve did the best they could, and were anxiously hoping that God would approve of their sincere efforts. But did He? Let verse 21 answer:
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”
Alas, they had left out of their calculations the most important thing, and that was, that death is the sinner’s due; that a sinless substitute must be slain to cover him in his ruined condition.
In the coats of skin that God had made, we have a lovely picture of the cross of Christ. For “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were 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)). God pleads with you, dear sinner, to “Stand still and see ... that great work which the Lord did” (Ex. 14:13,3113And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. (Exodus 14:13)
31And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31)). Behold Him there on the cross, as a Lamb slain in His love for us. He “died for our sins,” (1 Cor. 15:33For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (1 Corinthians 15:3)), and “He said, It is finished” (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)). It is perfect and gloriously complete. “Nothing can be put to it” (Eccl. 3:1414I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)).
How much better is God’s salvation than man’s aprons. “Vain is the salvation of man.” (Psa. 60:1111Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. (Psalm 60:11), margin). “Neither shall they cover themselves with their works” (Isa. 59:66Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. (Isaiah 59:6)). “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). God cannot accept your work, but He wants you to accept the work of His Son, “that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear” (Rev. 3:1818I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18)). “Blessed is he ... whose sin is covered” (Psa. 32:11<<A Psalm of David, Maschil.>> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)).
Had God approved of Adam and Eve making their own aprons, or asked them to try to make better ones, that would just suit the thought of most people. For nothing is more popular in the religious world than this erroneous notion that man must do some sort of religious works to merit salvation. It is deeply ingrained in human nature. It matters not how often it is refuted, it asserts itself again and again, in one form or another.
This restless religious tendency to do something, instead of accepting God’s gracious gift, is all because man loves not to plead guilty—own that he is hopelessly ruined and unable to do one single thing to redeem himself. But man would rather try anyway!
“Being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness” (Rom. 10:33For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3)), they are denying God’s declaration that “there is none righteous, no, not one, ... there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10,1210As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)
12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12)). In other words, being insensible to their need of God’s “coats of skin,” they go about to sew aprons of fig leaves for themselves.
Israel was bent on doing something. “All the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (Ex. 19:88And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 19:8)). They did not know themselves. So God gave them the ten commandments to expose their sinfulness. As the mirror shows the face to be dirty, so “by the law, is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. (3:20). The law can do nothing but condemn (2 Cor. 3:99For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:9)), for all are guilty sinners; and to keep on struggling to justify oneself, only adds to one’s guilt. Therefore it is written: “To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt” (Rom. 4:44Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4)).
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)). “By grace are ye saved through faith ... not of works” (Eph. 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)). “Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace” (2 Tim. 1:99Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9)). So then it is plain that mans’ aprons will not do.
Some sincerely believe that they should enlist Gold’s help to perfect their own salvation. They quote Philippians 2:12-1312Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12‑13), “Work out your own salvation ... for it is God which worketh in you.” Now, if it said “work for your own salvation,” or “work on your own salvation,” then that would express their idea. But “work out” is addressed to those who already had salvation, as well as the Holy Spirit of God within them, to put their salvation into outward practice in their daily conflicts.
The oft quoted verse, “Faith without works is dead,” rebukes those that “say” they have faith, but show no evidence.
But human effort, and heavenly grace, can never combine any more than oil and water, “If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace” (Rom. 11:66And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)). Christ must have done it all, that He might have all the praise.
I know there are some who have never felt themselves to be lost sinners, they are such lovely people, who shift about as if they were sitting on thorns when I am preaching grace, and nothing but grace. Friend, search yourself and see if this accursed thing be not hidden in your own heart!