Correspondence

• 7 min. read • grade level: 8

Question: An answer to a letter which quotes James 2:24,²⁴Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:24) and says, “We are not saved by faith only—or by anything else ‘only.’ It takes faith, repentance, action, on the part of the individual before the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is applied...What did Peter say to those on the day of Pentecost? ‘Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’ I would understand from this that the individual had something to do towards his own salvation, and I also understand that anything one would have to do, would be classed as works. Study the conversions—the jailor; those at Pentecost, and Saul of Tarsus.”

Answer: In the Epistle to the Romans, the gospel of God is unfolded, then the fruits of redemption are seen from chapter 12 to the end.

In the Epistle of James, we are, as born of God, told how to walk in practical righteousness as the fruit of having in us the new life. In it we get the works that flow out from faith. We see in the unsaved profession of Christianity, the contrast, for faith without works is dead, just as the body without the spirit is dead.

In Romans 4:5⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5) the sinner is told how wrong it is to work for salvation; and in James the believer is encouraged to increase in godly activities. Abraham and Rahab are the two examples in James. Abraham was a believer many years before he offered up Isaac on the altar. The natural mind would say that such an action was not a good work at all. What made it good was that God had told him to do it, as a type of Christ, yet it was not to make him a saint, but because he was one already (see Gen. 1:5:6).

Rahab also showed the marks of a believer when she received the spies with peace (Heb. 11:31³¹By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)). The natural mind would say she was a traitoress, a betrayer of her city, but in her faith, she said to the spies, “I know that Jehovah hath given you the land,” and she speaks about the deliverance out of Egypt through the Red Sea. Her faith not only delivered her from Jericho and the Canaanites, but also put her into the Royal house and line of David and Jesus (see Matt. 1).

Faith is put in contrast with works of law in many passages of Scripture (see Rom. 3:27, 28; 4:2-5²⁷Where 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)
²For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. ³For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. ⁴Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:2‑5); 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)).

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law.”

“Now to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

“Not of works lest any man should boast.” So that faith is not called working, it is just the opposite. Nor does a man do anything in being baptized unless giving his consent. No one baptizes himself, he submits to it. Repentance is wrought by the Spirit in the quickened soul, leading him to own his guilt before God, and certainly this is needed. “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21²¹Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)). This is the soul’s first right step. When a man owns that he is bankrupt, that does not help to pay his debt. It needs another to pay the ransom for him. It is the work of God’s beloved Son on the cross. Repentance is not doing penance—it is not doing at all—it is owning his guilt, that he had done too much already.

Let us look at the conversions referred to: “Save yourselves from this untoward generation,” is simply proving that they believed what Peter preached to them by submitting to being baptized in the very name of the One whom the Jews had delivered up to be crucified. We could not call accepting a gift, working for it.

It was the same with the jailor: he was seeking instructions, and the reply was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” There was nothing of works in that.

In Saul of Tarsus: the moment the Lord spoke to him from the glory, he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” and for three days and three nights he did nothing but wait and pray for further light, which the Lord sent to him by Ananias; his faith, was in exercise from the moment that the Lord spoke to him.

All of our works that God calls good, are the fruits of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, who brings our new divine life into action, and makes us partakers of the divine nature, the moral character of God (2 Peter 1:4⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)), which was fully displayed in Christ His Beloved Son. We are to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)).

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:6⁶He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)).

Question: Is it “quenching the Spirit” if I do not speak the gospel when I am exercised to do so? P. T.

Answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21¹⁹Quench not the Spirit. ²⁰Despise not prophesyings. ²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19‑21) seems to refer to ministry in the assembly among the saints, but it is the same principle in speaking to saint or sinner. Archippus had to be reminded of the ministry that was committed to him, to take heed to fulfill it (Col. 4:17¹⁷And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. (Colossians 4:17)). If we exercise ourselves in prayer, the Lord will give us His guidance when to speak, and when to be silent. We need strength and wisdom from Him. The work is His, He is the Lord of the harvest. We are to be instruments in His hand, empty vessels that He can fill and use. Paul and Silas needed guidance, they wanted to preach at some places and times when not sent by the Lord (Acts 16:6, 7⁶Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, ⁷After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (Acts 16:6‑7)). May we seek nearness of spirit to Him to hear and recognize His voice.

Question: What does it mean in 1 Corinthians 9:22²²To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22) where the apostle Paul writes, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some?” A SUBSCRIBER.

Answer: Read 1 Corinthians 9:18¹⁸What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18) to 22. In this chapter the apostle is replying to some who questioned his apostleship. In these verses he is showing how he carried out his commission. As a devoted servant, he sought to obey and glorify his Lord in true humility and unselfishness, and seeking the good of souls in their eternal salvation. He met each on his own ground.

In Acts 22, he speaks to the Jews, and applies his own conversion in the light fitting their condition and responsibility; and in Acts 26, the same story is told as it suited the Gentile mind. He did all for the gospel’s sake, illustrating the truth by his own experience, that by these means he might be used for the conversion of sinners of all classes, whether they were mighty and noble, or mean and despised: the gospel suited them all. It was the love of God flowing out through him in manifested righteousness. He preached Christ Jesus, the Savior of all repentant sinners, and the Judge of those who remain unrepentant, who neglect or despise God’s great salvation.

The apostle knew his heavenly calling, and walked in it. There is no thought in this scripture that he entered into the amusements or polities, or mixed up with this world’s religions, and he could not join their societies (see 2 Cor. 6:14¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) to 7:1). He was separated to Christ (Gal. 1:15, 16¹⁵But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, ¹⁶To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (Galatians 1:15‑16)).

Question: Please explain John 20:23²³Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:23). M. C.

Answer: In John 20:17¹⁷Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17) to 23 we have some of the blessings that were given from Christ in glory, which could not be realized till the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost.

Verse 17. We have our relationship with the Father and God as His children, and with Christ as His brethren.

Verse 19. We have Christ the center, and His atoning wounds have spoken peace to our glad hearts.

Verse 21. We are sent of Him, as He was sent of the Father.

Verse 22. We can go in the new creation life in the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

Verse 23 is not assembly forgiveness, but it is administrative forgiveness through the gospel, as in Acts 2:37, 38;10:42, 48,³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37‑38)
⁴²And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 10:42)
⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48) administered by the apostles. Acts 9:17¹⁷And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17) and 19:4-6 are instances of it.