Not My Word…My Hope…What of Faith…Pt 2 of 2

When God pardons the sinner, remits the punishment he deserves, and

treats him as though he had not sinned, He receives him into divine favor,

and justifies him through the merits of Christ's righteousness. The sinner can

be justified only through faith in the atonement made through God's dear

Son, who became a sacrifice for the sins of the guilty world. No one can be

justified by any works of his own. He can be delivered from the guilt of sin,

from the condemnation of the law, from the penalty of transgression, only by

virtue of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Faith is the only

condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith includes not only

belief, but trust. Many have a nominal faith in Christ, but they know nothing

of that vital dependence upon Him which appropriates the merits of a

crucified and risen Saviour. Of this nominal faith James says: "Thou believest

that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

Faith Without Works is Dead

This is but a bare speculation and knowledge of faith. Faith must be the first principle.

We are to have no good account of ourselves merely because we believe in

him. If we are content with a bare assent to the articles of faith, and some

speculations upon them, our faith is the same as of the devils. Our fear, our

trembling is out of reverence, not hatred and opposition. We give up

ourselves to God as the gospel directs, and we love Him, and we delight

ourselves in Him, and we serve Him, which the devils do not, cannot do. Our

spiritual life, our availability to eternal life is our rest in the faith of Jesus. The

accounting of our righteousness is not separated from our faith, for both our

righteousness and our faith are of Jesus Christ Himself. In him we are

justified and in him are we saved. And so, our faith endears us to the Divine

Being and advances us to very peculiar favors and intimacies with God.

There is no boast to being Israel if we copy not the faith of Jesus. We must

give evidence as God commands…self-denial as did Abraham. In our faith

what we devoutly purpose and sincerely resolve to do for God is accepted

as if actually performed. Our dying to self is regarded as offering up our life.

Though we do not actually proceed to physically die, it is an offering of

sacrifice to Him. It is a done thing in the mind, and in the spirit, and resolution

that was shown of Abraham, and God accepts it as if fully performed and

accomplished. This acting of faith makes it grow perfect, as the truth of faith

makes it act. Such an acting faith will make others friends of God. Our faith

brings us to God in Christ…one will, one heart, one mind. And now, upon the

whole matter, this is the grace of God wherein we stand by faith. And we

should stand to it now to persist in it by the word of providence.

Many concede that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world, but at the same

time they hold themselves away from Him, and fail to repent of their sins, fail

to accept of Jesus as their personal Saviour. Their faith is simply the assent

of the mind and judgment to the truth; but the truth is not brought into the

heart, that it might sanctify the soul and transform the character. "For whom

he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of

his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover

whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them

he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified". Calling and

justification are not one and the same thing. Calling is the drawing of the

sinner to Christ, and it is a work wrought by the Holy Spirit upon the heart,

convicting of sin, and inviting to repentance. Many are confused as to what

constitutes the first steps in the work of salvation. Repentance is thought to

be a work the sinner must do for himself in order that he may come to Christ.

They think that the sinner must procure for himself a fitness in order to obtain

the blessing of God's grace. But while it is true that repentance must precede

forgiveness, for it is only the broken and contrite heart that is acceptable to

God, yet the sinner cannot bring himself to repentance, or prepare himself to

come to Christ. Except the sinner repent, he cannot be forgiven; but the

question to be decided is as to whether repentance is the work of the sinner

or the gift of Christ. Must the sinner wait until he is filled with remorse for his

sin before he can come to Christ? The very first step to Christ is taken

through the drawing of the Spirit of God; as man responds to this drawing,

he advances toward Christ in order that he may repent. The sinner is

The Shepherd

represented as a lost sheep, and a lost sheep never returns to the fold unless

he is sought after and brought back to the fold by the shepherd. No man of

himself can repent, and make himself worthy of the blessing of justification.

The Lord Jesus is constantly seeking to impress the sinner's mind and attract

him to behold Himself, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the

world. We cannot take a step toward spiritual life save as Jesus draws and

strengthens the soul, and leads us to experience that repentance which

needeth not to be repented of. When before the high priests and Sadducees,

Peter clearly presented the fact that repentance is the gift of God. Speaking

of Christ, he said, "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince

and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins".

Repentance is no less the gift of God than are pardon and justification, and

it cannot be experienced except as it is given to the soul by Christ. If we are

drawn to Christ, it is through His power and virtue. The grace of contrition

comes through Him, and from Him comes justification. Paul writes: "But the

righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart,

Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or,

Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the

dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy

heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess

with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath

raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man

believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto

salvation". The faith that is unto salvation is not a casual faith, it is not the

mere consent of the intellect, it is belief rooted in the heart, that embraces

Christ as a personal Saviour, assured that He can save unto the uttermost

all that come unto God by Him. To believe that He will save others, but will

not save you is not genuine faith; but when the soul lays hold upon Christ as

the only hope of salvation, then genuine faith is manifested. This faith leads

its possessor to place all the affections of the soul upon Christ; his

understanding is under the control of the Holy Spirit, and his character is

molded after the divine likeness. His faith is not a dead faith, but a faith that

works by love, and leads him to behold the beauty of Christ, and to become

assimilated to the divine character. "And the Lord thy God will circumcise

thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine

heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live". It is God that circumcises

the heart. The whole work is the Lord's from the beginning to the end. The

perishing sinner may say: "I am a lost sinner; but Christ came to seek and to

save that which was lost. He says, 'I came not to call the righteous, but

sinners to repentance'. I am a sinner, and He died upon Calvary's cross to

save me. I need not remain a moment longer unsaved. He died and rose

again for my justification, and He will save me now. I accept the forgiveness

He has promised."

Christ is a risen Saviour; for, though He was dead, He has risen again, and

ever liveth to make intercession for us. We are to believe with the heart unto

righteousness, and with the mouth make confession unto salvation. Those

who are justified by faith will make confession of Christ. "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". The great work

that is wrought for the sinner who is spotted and stained by evil is the work

of justification. By Him who speaketh truth, he is declared righteous. The Lord

imputes unto the believer the righteousness of Christ and pronounces him

righteous before the universe. He transfers his sins to Jesus, the sinner's

representative, substitute, and surety. Upon Christ He lays the iniquity of

every soul that believeth. "He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no

sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him". Christ made

satisfaction for the guilt of the whole world, and all who will come to God in

faith, will receive the righteousness of Christ, "who his own self bare our sins

in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto

righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed". Our sin has been expiated,

put away, cast into the depths of the sea. Through repentance and faith we

are rid of sin, and look unto the Lord our righteousness. Jesus suffered, the

just for the unjust. Although as sinners we are under the condemnation of

the law, yet Christ by His obedience rendered to the law, claims for the

repentant soul the merit of His own righteousness. In order to obtain the

righteousness of Christ, it is necessary for the sinner to know what that

repentance is which works a radical change of mind and spirit and action.

Work of Transformation Must Begin in the Heart

The work of transformation must begin in the heart, and manifest its power

through every faculty of the being; but man is not capable of originating such

a repentance as this, and can experience it alone through Christ, who

ascended up on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Who is desirous of becoming truly repentant? What must he do?--He must

come to Jesus, just as he is, without delay. He must believe that the word of

Christ is true, and, believing the promise, ask, that he may receive. When

sincere desire prompts men to pray, they will not pray in vain. The Lord will

fulfill His word, and will give the Holy Spirit to lead to repentance toward God

and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. He will pray and watch, and put away

his sins, making manifest his sincerity by the vigor of his endeavor to obey

the commandments of God. With prayer he will mingle faith, and not only

believe in but obey the precepts of the law. He will announce himself as on

Christ's side of the question. He will renounce all habits and associations that

tend to draw the heart from God. He who would become a child of God must

receive the truth that repentance and forgiveness are to be obtained through

nothing less than the atonement of Christ. Assured of this the sinner must

put forth an effort in harmony with the work done for him, and with unwearied

entreaty he must supplicate the throne of grace, that the renovating power

of God may come into his soul. Christ pardons none but the penitent, but

whom He pardons He first makes penitent. The provision made is complete,

and the eternal righteousness of Christ is placed to the account of every

believing soul. The costly, spotless robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has

been provided for the repenting, believing sinner, and he may say: "I will

greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath

clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe

of righteousness". Abundant grace has been provided that the believing soul

may be kept free from sin; for all heaven, with its limitless resources, has

been placed at our command. We are to draw from the well of salvation.

Christ is the end of law for righteousness to everyone who believeth. In

ourselves we are sinners; but in Christ we are righteous. Having made us

righteous through the imputed righteousness of Christ, God pronounces us

just, and treats us as just. He looks upon us as His dear children. Christ

works against the power of sin, and where sin abounded, grace much more

abounds. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through

our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace

wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God". "Being justified

freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God

hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his

righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance

of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just,

and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus". "For by grace are ye saved

through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God". The Lord would

have His people sound in the faith-- not ignorant of the great salvation so

abundantly provided for them. They are not to look forward, thinking that at

some future time a great work is to be done for them; for the work is now

complete. The believer is not called upon to make his peace with God; he

never has nor ever can do this. He is to accept Christ as his peace, for with

Christ is God and peace. Christ made an end of sin, bearing its heavy curse

in His own body on the tree, and He hath taken away the curse from all those

who believe in Him as a personal Saviour. He makes an end of the controlling

power of sin in the heart, and the life and character of the believer testify to

the genuine character of the grace of Christ. To those that ask Him, Jesus

imparts the Holy Spirit; for it is necessary that every believer should be

delivered from pollution, as well as from the curse and condemnation of the

law. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the truth, the

believer becomes fitted for the courts of heaven; for Christ works within us,

and His righteousness is upon us. Without this no soul will be entitled to

heaven. We would not enjoy heaven unless qualified for its holy atmosphere

by the influence of the Spirit and the righteousness of Christ.

In order to be candidates for heaven we must meet the requirement of the

law: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,

and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself".

We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ. By

beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and

the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to

grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to

the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of

the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin,

and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect. Christ alone is able

to do this, for "in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath

suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted".

Reconciliation means that every barrier between the soul and God is

removed, and that the sinner realizes what the pardoning love of God means.

By reason of the sacrifice made by Christ for fallen men, God can justly

pardon the transgressor who accepts the merits of Christ. Christ was the

channel through which the mercy, love, and righteousness might flow from

the heart of God to the heart of the sinner. "He is faithful and just to forgive

Costly, Spotless Robe Woven in the Loom of Heaven

us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

In the prophecy of Daniel it was recorded of Christ that He shall "make

reconciliation for iniquity, and . . . bring in everlasting righteousness". Every

soul may say: "By His perfect obedience He has satisfied the claims of the

law, and my only hope is found in looking to Him as my substitute and surety,

who obeyed the law perfectly for me. By faith in His merits I am free from the

condemnation of the law. He clothes me with His righteousness, which

answers all the demands of the law. I am complete in Him who brings in

everlasting righteousness. He presents me to God in the spotless garment

of which no thread was woven by any human agent. All is of Christ, and all

the glory, honor, and majesty are to be given to the Lamb of God, which

taketh away the sins of the world."

Many think that they must wait for a special impulse in order that they may

come to Christ; but it is necessary only to come in sincerity of purpose,

deciding to accept the offers of mercy and grace that have been extended to

us. We are to say: "Christ died to save me. The Lord's desire is that I should

be saved, and I will come to Jesus just as I am without delay. I will venture

upon the promise. As Christ draws me, I will respond." The apostle says,

"With the heart man believeth unto righteousness". No one can believe with

the heart unto righteousness, and obtain justification by faith, while

continuing the practice of those things which the Word of God forbids, or

while neglecting any known duty.

Genuine faith will be manifested in good works; for good works are the fruits

of faith. As God works in the heart, and man surrenders his will to God, and

cooperates with God, he works out in the life what God works in by the Holy

Spirit, and there is harmony between the purpose of the heart and the

practice of the life. Every sin must be renounced as the hateful thing that

crucified the Lord of life and glory, and the believer must have a progressive

experience by continually doing the works of Christ. It is by continual

surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of justification

is retained. Those who are justified by faith must have a heart to keep the

way of the Lord. It is an evidence that a man is not justified by faith when his

works do not correspond to his profession. James says, "Seest thou how

faith wrought with his works, and by works was his faith made perfect?"

The faith that does not produce good works does not justify the soul. "Ye see

then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only". "Abraham

believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness".

Imputation of the righteousness of Christ comes through justifying faith, and

is the justification for which Paul so earnestly contends. He says: "Therefore

by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the

law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the

law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the

righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all

them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come

short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a

propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the

remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God…Do we then

make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law".

Grace is unmerited favor, and the believer is justified without any merit of his

own, without any claim to offer to God. He is justified through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus, who stands in the courts of heaven as the sinner's

substitute and surety. But while he is justified because of the merit of Christ,

he is not free to work unrighteousness. Faith works by love and purifies the

Faith buds and blossoms

soul. Faith buds and blossoms and bears a harvest of precious fruit. Where

faith is, good works appear. The sick are visited, the poor are cared for, the

fatherless and the widows are not neglected, the naked are clothed, the

destitute are fed. Christ went about doing good, and when men are united

with Him, they love the children of God, and meekness and truth guide their

footsteps. The expression of the countenance reveals their experience, and

men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus and learned of

Him. Christ and the believer become one, and His beauty of character is

revealed in those who are vitally connected with the Source of power and

love. Christ is the great depositary of justifying righteousness and sanctifying

grace.

All may come to Him, and receive of His fullness. He says, "Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". Then why not

cast aside all unbelief and heed the words of Jesus? You want rest; you long

for peace. Then say from the heart, "Lord Jesus, I come, because Thou hast

given me this invitation." Believe in Him with steadfast faith, and He will save

you. Have you been looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of

your faith? Have you been beholding Him who is full of truth and grace? Have

you accepted the peace which Christ alone can give? If you have not, then

yield to Him, and through His grace seek for a character that will be noble

and elevated. Seek for a constant, resolute, cheerful spirit. Feed on Christ,

who is the bread of life, and you will manifest His loveliness of character and

spirit.