NOT
BY WORKS
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing
of the Holy Ghost” Titus 3:5
This verse as well as a host of other passages in the scriptures make
it crystal clear that salvation is by the grace and mercy of God in
Christ and not by anything the sinner thinks, feels, or any deed that
he performs. As a matter of truth this is the message of all the Word
of God from Genesis thru Revelation. This Gospel truth does exactly
what God Almighty purposed for it to do. Salvation by the Lord Jesus
Christ alone, without the aid and assistance of fallen, sinful man,
gives God all the glory and honor and abases the flesh. Salvation by
the grace of God alone magnifies all the virtues and attributes of the
infinite Godhead. Therefore, any message that gives one shred of glory
to man is a false gospel, and is cursed of God - “But though we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” Galatians
1:8. Man is a fallen creature with no inclinations toward God whatsoever.
Moreover, it is written that “No man can come to Me, except the Father
which hath sent me draw him…” John 6:44. The works of man,
no matter how commendable they might seem are self-glorifying, and therefore
are an affront to God and His Christ in the matter of salvation. The
thrice holy God demands a perfect righteousness which no man can produce
- “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” Romans
3:10, and the Son of God alone did produce - “For Christ is the
end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” Romans
10:4. Nevertheless, myriads of false preachers, false teachers,
and false professors of Christianity continually contend that man must
have his part in the redemptive work of Christ. This false way is nothing
new, it is as old as the fall of man - “And the eyes of them both
were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig
leaves together, and made themselves aprons” Genesis 3:7.
“Not by works” is good news to those who have no righteousness of their
own.
Tommy
