Not many years ago I had the habit of judging the “soundness” of an article or sermon by whether or not it mentioned baptism. I couldn’t really enjoy a sermon if it didn’t mention baptism, and I wouldn’t give out a tract that didn’t include the mention of baptism. I can remember listening to preachers with some apprehension at first, not sure whether or not I should be enjoying the message—but then settling back and relaxing after they had mentioned baptism.
There are people who feel much the same way about works. They know that the grace of God is a Biblical topic, yet they are uneasy when they hear it discussed. They can’t relax until they hear “works” included. Then they are on familiar ground. Just this past week I have seen two articles expressing this feeling. Part of this may be due to the mistaken notion that to stand on the ground of salvation by grace alone is to exclude works from the Christian’s life. In any case, it is quite legitimate to inquire about the relationship of grace to works. So let’s take a brief look at works, as related to grace.
Grace Produces Works.
The works we are considering now are not the “works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves” (Titus 3:5), but the “good works, which God afore prepared” (Eph. 2:10). From the point of view of a human observer, these two sets of works might be the same. Both categories of works might include such things as praying, giving to the needy, witnessing, etc. The difference in the works lies not in what is done, but who does it. The first works mentioned above are done by ourselves-and for our own benefit, that we might find approval with God and eventual salvation.
The second set of works are performed by God in us. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20). “It is God who worketh in you to will and to work, for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). This is entirely consonant with Paul’s exhortation to us to do our part”; Present …your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13). God is the workman; we are the tools in His hands. When considered in this context, the various exhortations to good works carry no connotation at all of self merit. Whatever works we may perform (or do not perform) contribute nothing at all to our salvation.
The Meaning of Works
If works do not serve to make us approved in the eyes of God, the why are we urged to “be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8)? Why so much mention of good works in the New Testament if they do not enhance our standing before God? Here is where the book of James is valuable. The theme of this book is the testing (“trial” or proving” -1:3) of our faith. The entire letter develops the theme by applying various tests under differing sets of circumstances. To make this book really effective, just put yourself in each situation. In chapter 1: How do you pray—believing or doubting? How do you face temptation to sin-yielding or enduring? How do you react to the word of God-conforming to it, or turning from it? Likewise right on through all five chapters. If your works don’t measure up, then it is certain that your faith is not the faith that saves—but like that of the demons. The works mentioned here have nothing to do with making one righteous before God, for “Christ Jesus…was made unto us Righteousness” (1 Cor. 1:30). God have pity on the person who has a righteousness of his own!
A question might be raised about James’ mention of Abraham. It should be sufficient to not that the incident spoken of by James comes many years after Abraham had already been reckoned righteous, by grace, apart for works. (Rom. 4:3 Gen. 15:6). The offering of Isaac simply shows his faith to be genuine.
Deficient Works
What should I do if I find my works don’t measure up to God’s standards? Should I try harder to do the things I know I should? No, that is not the place to begin. We have already seen that we are instruments in God’s hands, and our responsibility is to “present ourselves”—make ourselves available to Him. The real defect, then, is not in our works, but in our attitude toward Him! We have resisted the Holy Spirit’s leading. We have not had our affections set wholly on the Lover of our souls. The desires of our hearts have not been for Him alone. And we repent—not a repentance that is related to works, but repentance of an evil heart-attitude toward our Lord. The works? They simply were a “symptom,” and indication of the real ill within us.
Let us not think that our works are unimportant, just because they do not recommend us to God. We know very well that a useless tool is often discarded. Paul speaks of this very possibility in his own case: “Lest…after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27, NASB). In the same letter (3:10-15) he strongly warns that at the judgment seat of Christ, some works will be burned, with loss to the Christian who performed them (but not jeopardizing his salvation). What makes the difference between the works that perish and those that abide? The ones that perish are our works, performed in human strength out of wisdom—though perhaps for noble purposes. The ones that endure are God’s works, wrought in us through the Spirit.
In many homes I have seen a plaque: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” This isn’t necessarily true, for the wood, hay and stubble may be done for Christ. The verse needs to be rewritten: Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; Only what’s done by Christ will last.”
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me.” He in me will produce the works of gold, sliver, and precious stones, unto the eternal glory of God. These are the works of grace. Is this the kind your life is bringing forth?
Gordon Linscott, in ‘Word and Work,” Volume LX, No. 6, June, 1966, P. 194-196.
Gordon Linscott was Editor from 1962-1975.