1095. Faith and Works a Contrast
Faith and Works a Contrast
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because: God Says So (Eph_2:8). Because: God Says So (Eph_2:9).
It Proclaims Man a Suppliant Sinner (Mat_9:13). They Proclaim a Man as Righteous (Rom_3:10).
It Pleads Alone God's Righteousness (Php_3:8-9). They Plead their Own Worthiness (Isa_64:6).
It Confesses the Inability of the Old Man to Do Good (Mat_7:18). They Claim the Possibility of the Old Man to Do Good (Rom_10:3).
It Acknowledges Nothing That Does Not Please God (Rom_8:8). They Seek to Please God Apart from Jesus Christ (Jdg_1:11).
It Looks to Christ as Its Foundation (1Co_3:11). They Look to the Sand of Self-deeds as Their Foundation (Luk_6:49).
It Accepts Salvation as a Free Gift (Rom_6:23). They Seek to Pay for that Which Cannot Be Bought (Isa_55:1).
It Receives Salvation as an Instantaneous Work (Joh_5:24). They Postpone Salvation until Its Deeds Are Completed (1Co_3:3).
It Makes Christ the Saviour (Isa_53:5). They Make Man His Own Saviour (Rom_4:4).
It Crowns the Grace of God (Rom_11:6). They Crucify the Grace of God (Gal_5:4).
It Proclaims the Cross a Vital Necessity (Heb_9:22). They Proclaim the Cross as of No Effect (Gal_2:21).
It Makes Salvation both Sure and Secure (Joh_10:28). They Make Salvation both Uncertain and Insecure (Mat_7:22).
It Gives All the Glory to God (Jdg_1:25). They Have Whereof to Glory in Themselves (Rom_4:2).
It Makes Salvation Sure to All the Seed (Rom_4:16). They Make Salvation Sure to None of the Seed (Rom_8:3,Rom_8:7).
In this study we shall endeavor to explain what is meant by faith, the faith which saves; and also what is meant by the works of the flesh.
Faith is believing the Lord Jesus Christ according to the record that God hath given of Him. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
Faith believes in Jesus Christ with more than an historical acknowledgment of the record concerning the Son of God; faith includes a confiding trust and an appropriating heart-acceptance of Jesus Christ, "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness."
By the works of the flesh we refer only in this lesson, to the deeds of the unregenerate–the works generated by the self-life, the natural man. These works have no connection whatsoever with the good works spoken of in Eph_2:10, unto which children of God are created, and in which God hath before ordained that they should walk.
The "works of the flesh" refer exclusively to deeds and acts whereby the unsaved are seeking favor with God.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because God says so. Eph_2:8'97For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God. Because God says so. Eph_2:9'97Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The Word of God is conclusive. God says in our first key verse that we are saved through faith. God says in our second key verse that salvation is not of works.
Why then is it that half of the world is going about trying to do something to be saved. If you meet some one on the street and ask them if they are saved they will probably respond, "I am doing the best I know how;" or, they will say, "I am trying hard;" or perhaps they will say, "I am a member of the church,"
All such expressions show that they have no real salvation. Their hope is as a spider's web, weaved from their own body. It is Christ Who saves. "There is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." It is through the faith that is in Him that we find salvation.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because it proclaims man as a suppliant sinner. Mat_9:13'97But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Because works proclaim a man as righteous. Rom_3:10'97As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
When the sinner comes to Jesus Christ by faith, his very coming is an acknowledgment of his need. He knows that Christ never came to call the righteous.
Why should the man who is whole, seek a physician?
Why should the man who is worthy, seek the cleansing Blood?
When one seeks salvation on the basis of works, they pronounce themselves possessors of a righteouness which must stand accepted before God. They do this in spite of the fact that God says, "There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth."
The one who trusts in his own righteousness will never trust in God's righteousness. The one who trusts in God, and the righteousness which is by faith in Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ, will plead no righteousness of his own.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith pleads alone the righteousness of God. Php_3:8-9'97I count all things but loss * * that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Because the "works of the flesh" plead their own worthiness. Isa_64:6'97But 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.
Faith does not run around hunting up all of its past records in order to find something that may prove acceptable to God. Faith takes all that the flesh might claim and throws it into the garbage. Faith looks alone to the spotless righteousness of God and stands robed in that righteousness alone.
The works of the flesh are always parading their own deeds, utterly forgetting that God pronounces them as filthy rags, unacceptable to Him. Faith says, "I am an unclean thing." Faith says, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Faith says, "I abhor myself." Faith says, "I am a sinful man, O God."
The works of the flesh say, "Behold my own goodness, my own righteousness, my own worthiness." In all of this the works of the flesh repudiate plain statements to the contrary, which are written in the Word of God.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith confesses the inability of the old man to do good. Mat_7:18'97A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Because the works of the flesh claim, the possibility of the old man to do good. Rom_10:3'97For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Faith knows that the Ethiopian cannot change his skin, that a leopard cannot change his spots. Faith knows that a bitter fountain cannot bring forth sweet water. Faith knows that those who are accustomed to do evil cannot do good. Faith, therefore, has no trust, whatever in the deeds of the flesh.
The works of the flesh on the other hand are always going about trying to establish their own righteousness. They see much within themselves that they consider worthy of approval. They measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, forgetting that sin is falling short of the glory of God. A sinner compared with another sinner, may feel comfortable; but a sinner in the presence of God, is altogether corrupt. There is no soundness in him; from his head to his feet he is full of wounds and bruises and putrefying sores.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith acknowledges nothing that does not please God. Rom_8:8'97So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Because the works of the flesh always seek to please God, apart from Jesus Christ. Jdg_1:11'97Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Faith comes before God saying:
"Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy Cross I cling."
Faith knows that apart from faith it is impossible to please God. The prayers of the wicked are abomination to God. The gifts of the wicked' can not be accepted by God.
The works of the flesh gather up their fruitage, their own bloodless gifts, and bring them as an offering to the Lord. This is what Cain did, and his offering was a stench in the nostrils of the Lord. It is far better to come in faith, empty-handed, pleading the shed Blood of the Lamb, than to come with the both hands filled, pleading the worth of worthless worths and denying the virtue and the value of saving Blood.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith looks to Christ as its foundation. Because the works of the flesh look to the sand of self-deeds as their foundation.
1Co_3:11'97For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Luk_6:49'97But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Faith says, "I have nothing upon which to build." Storms are sure to come–the rain will fall, the wind's will blow, the flood will rise–I want a Rock for my foundation.
Faith knows that there is no rock, excepting Christ Jesus. He alone can stand the storm. He met the world and the devil and vanquished them. He is an impregnable rock.
The works of the flesh disdain the rock Christ Jesus. They build on the sand of their own doings. Their super-structure may be great attractiveness; it may be lifted up to the very skies, but it will surely crumble and crash before the great storm of God's wrath.
Faith delights in singing:
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' Blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
"On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
"His oath, His covenant, His Blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay."
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith accepts salvation as a free gift Rom_6:23'97For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because the works of the flesh seek to pay for that which cannot be bought. Isa_55:1'97Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Faith places a high value on salvation. Faith concedes that salvation is priceless, purchaseless. Faith feels that all its works would be less than a farthing toward the buying of an inheritance that is of inestimable worth.
Faith therefore comes gladly to receive, "without money and without price" the "free gift of God." Faith knows that God could not seal His salvation and its accompanying benefactions if He would, for there is no one who could buy. Faith knows that God would not sell if He could, for God in the salvation of sinners seeks to magnify the exceeding riches of His grace and mercy, in His kindness toward us, in Christ Jesus.
The works of the flesh place but little value upon salvation. They vainly imagine that, with their puny and paltry pennies, they can purchase glory. Thus, the works of the flesh, either tremendously magnify the value of their own deeds (which God counts as worthy only of the garbage can); or else they sadly minimize the unsearchable glories of God's salvation.
The works of the flesh also place more value upon their own deeds than upon the Cross of Christ. To the works of the flesh the Cross is no more than, a useless page of suffering, which needs only to be set aside and superseded by human effort. In spite of all of this, let us remember the song:
"Could my tears forever flow,
Could my zeal no respite know;
All for sin could not atone,
Christ must save, and Christ alone."
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith receives salvation as an instantaneous work. Joh_5:24'97Verily, verily, I say onto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Because the works of the flesh postpone salvation until its deeds are completed. 1Co_3:3'97For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Faith begins where works would end. Faith has salvation at the bottom of the hill. The works of the flesh has (in imagination) salvation at the top of the hill. Faith says it is mine–a present possession–works say it shall be mine–a future possession. Faith says, "I am saved;" works say, "I am in the process of salvation."
If salvation is of faith apart from works, salvation can spell its obtainment thus–HATH everlasting life. If salvation is of works, it is an attainment, accomplished only after years of faithful serving, then salvation always hangs in the balance; it is always a "hope so" affair, and can never say: "Beloved, now are we the children of God."
Faith says, "I've got it;" works say, "I'm trying to get it." Faith considers the work of salvation as "done;" works considers it as "do."
The very atmosphere in which "salvation by faith" moves is an atmosphere of certainties, of assurance, therefore of rest and of peace and of joy.
The very atmosphere in which "salvation by works" moves' is one of uncertainties, of doubt, and therefore of gloom and despair.
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory Divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood."
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith makes Christ the Saviour. Isa_53:5'97But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Because the works of the flesh make man his own Saviour. Rom_4:4'97Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt.
The whole question, boiled down is one of, Who saves? A Harvard graduate could write something like this:
"Out of the church's prison,
A new Christ has arisen.
O Holy Spirit, heart of man;
Will you listen, turn and bow
To that clear voice, since man began–
Mankind is Christ, recrowned, recrucified–
No god for a gift, God gave us,
Mankind and man alone must save us."
Blasphemy! you say? It is no more blasphemy than the voice of works. Thousands, yea millions, are seeking to drag down the Lord Jesus Christ from His place as Saviour; and seeking withal to install man as his own saviour.
The works of the flesh seek the annihilation of Jesus Christ. They make the Cross of Christ of no effect. They make God no more than planning a common murder when, before the foundation of the world, He, in His determinate counsel and foreknowledge, gave His Son to die and placed upon Him the iniquity of us all.
God have mercy on those who applaud the works of the flesh.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith, crowns the grace of God. Rom_11:6'97And 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. Because the works of the flesh crucify the grace of God. Gal_5:4'97Christ is become of no effect onto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
The grace of God is more precious than rubies. It is the crowning glory of God's character. Grace sparkles and scintillates with a light Divine. Grace is a most precious word. It conveys unsearchable depths of love and mercy. It hides within its meaning all the unfathomable depths of salvation's plan. Grace is the riches of the kindness of God, in Christ Jesus, but it was kindness toward us "while we were yet sinners." Grace describes the sinner in his sins as dead, walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air; grace describes the sinner as a son of disobedience, fulfilling the desires of his flesh and his thoughts, as, by nature, a child of wrath, Then grace passes by with the words, "but God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ * * and raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places." This is grace.
Faith enthrones grace, magnifies grace, glories in grace. The works of the flesh, with a villain's heart, dethrone grace, deny grace, and denounce grace.
Great is the chasm between faith and works. God help us to watch our steps–lest we be beguiled by the devil to refuse the only hope of eternal life.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith proclaims the Cross a vital necessity. Heb_9:22'97And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Because the works of the flesh proclaim the Cross as of no effect. Gal_2:21'97I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in rain.
Surely the works of the flesh are enemies of the Cross of Christ.
Faith sings:
"In the Cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time,
All the light of Sacred Story
Gathers round its head sublime."
Works sing:
In the works of men I glory,
Towering deeds of men divine;
All the light of human story
Gathers round their heads sublime.
Faith pleads the Blood of Christ alone. Not the Blood plus works, or the Blood and human righteousness. Faith remembers how God said: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." It was not the blood and anything else, it was just the blood. Faith, therefore, hides behind the Blood-sprinkled door and is satisfied with its security.
The works of the flesh speak of the Blood of Christ as a worthless expenditure. Works deny both the need and the value of the Blood.
Faith accepts the atonement as both sufficient and efficient; works decry the atonement as altogether deficient.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith makes salvation both sure and secure. Joh_10:28'97And I give onto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. Because the works of the flesh make salvation both uncertain and insecure. Mat_7:22'97Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?
Faith lives in full assurance. It is surrounded with confidence. Faith says: "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
Works live in a sea of uncertainties. They never know whether they have done enough. They never know that they are accepted of God. Works will meet all the disappointments that they dread. Works will say: "Have we not done many wonderful works," only to hear the Lord say, "I never knew you, depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
That which man calls "wonderful works," God calls "works of iniquity." Let us seek the only sure and secure plan–let us believe and be saved.
Faith enjoying justification will have "peace with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ." Works living under condemnation and apart from justification will always have unrest. Works are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, casting up mire and dirt.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith gives all the glory to God. Jdg_1:25'97To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Because the works of the flesh have whereof to glory in themselves. Rom_4:2'97For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Faith does not run around saying, "I did it." Faith does not cry aloud, "I am worthy." Faith knows that it presented nothing to God worthy of note. Faith cries:
"A weak and helpless worm,
On Thy kind arms, I fall;
Be Thou my peace, my righteousness,
My Saviour and my all."
The works of the flesh are forever parading their own worth. They are always calling attention to their own achievements. They have no time nor desire to praise the Lord. They glory in the deeds of the flesh; they glory in men. They say, "Behold, what I have done by the might of my power, and for the glory of my majesty."
Faith praises God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Faith says: "Unto Him Who loved us and washed us," unto Him be "the glory and the power and the majesty."
Faith joins in with the Heavenly choir in ascribing "Salvation to our God Who sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb" and then shouts: "Amen: Blessing, and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen."
Works would bolt Heaven's magnificant and set up a little hallelujah chorus of their own. They would ascribe the praise unto themselves.
WHY FAITH SAVES WHY WORKS CANNOT SAVE
Because faith makes salvation sure to all the seed. Rom_4:16'97Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the Law, but to that also which is of the Faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all. Because the works of the flesh make salvation sure to none of the seed. Rom_8:3, Rom_8:7'97For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be.
If salvation is of works then some have a better chance than others, inasmuch as some have better environment and better natural tendencies. To be sure, all are sinners, but all are not equally sinners. All sin but all do not sin the same way. Some have inherited a greater tendency toward the low and the vulgar than others. When man, therefore, seeks to place salvation on a basis of human morals and human works he is partial and unfair.
Faith makes salvation sure to all.
"None are excluded thence,
But who themselves exclude:
Welcome the ignorant, polite,
The vulgar and the rude."
Faith makes it possible for the vilest of the vile to come. Because faith proclaims a great salvation, and a Saviour Who saves the chief of sinner, and saves him to the uttermost.
Works in reality exclude the whole of the race, because sinning flesh is too weak to keep the Law. Those who are accustomed to do evil cannot learn to do good. The sinner cannot serve God; he cannot be subject to the laws of God. He is hopelessly lost and good works cannot help him. He must be saved by faith; or else be damned.
If a sinner thinks he can buy salvation or eternal life or the Holy Spirit, with his money or with his works, he will soon hear the words: "Thy money perish with thee," or, "Thy works perish with thee," "because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." "Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity" (Act_8:20, Act_8:23).
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR