"There is no merit in religion." So the young minister said, and not a few of the church members were very ill pleased. This was a new doctrine to them, for they had been taught that RELIGION and the rigid observance of all its forms and ceremonies were the means whereby "Christ communicated to us the benefits of redemption."
No merit in religion! What, then, is the use of it? Nothing whatever, in so far as the salvation of a sinner is concerned. The only "merit" that avails for this is the work and worth of Jesus Christ, the once-offered sacrifice of Himself which He effected on Calvary, and which God has accepted and declared all-sufficient. To add the "merit" of prayer, or reformation, or any other human effort is to insult the God of heaven, and belittle the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His dear Son.
There IS no "merit" in religion no need for it, either. A sinner can be saved on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. The Word of God tells us to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). This requires neither priest nor altar, ordinance nor vow; but it is God's one simple way to make the merits of Christ "effectual" unto salvation.
Do you say that this is not enough? What more do you want? God is satisfied, yea, well pleased with the atoning death of His Son If you are ever to be saved, ever to be with Him in the Father's "many mansions," you must be so on God's own terms.
"Not my works, my prayers, nor tears,
Not my inward joys or fears;
Not my conduct—good or bad,
Not my feelings—grieved or glad.
But the Son of God who came—
Died for me and rose again;
Lives above at God's right hand!
‘Tis in Christ alone I stand."