THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

The Bible shows two kinds of faith: dead faith and faith justified (James 2:17,26; Romans 5:1). This is also true of works. Often people disregard works as having anything to do with salvation. However the Bible shows that works can be dead (Hebrews 6:1) and that “a man is justified by works” (James 2:24). What are dead works?

Works alone cannot save a man. Paul used Abraham to illustrate that works alone cannot justify a man. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Romans 4:2). The kind of works described are the works where man is seeking to justify himself on the grounds of his own worth and as Barnes says, “regard himself as the author of it, and take the praise to himself” (Barnes Notes, Romans 4:2). Man could never conceive nor carry out his own plan of salvation. From the beginning of time God has shown His grace and mercy to show man the way of salvation. Adam and Eve could not boast of their salvation because God was the author of their deliverance. Noah could not boast of works to know God was going to destroy the world and when the time came to destroy the world.

The works of the Devil are dead works and the purpose Jesus came to earth was to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Keeping the Law of Moses is keeping a law of works whereby man could never be justified. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16). When men seek to keep the Law of Moses and bind as law the Ten Commandments they seek to bind salvation by dead works.

Works that boast of man’s superiority and wisdom to save him is dead works. Ephesians 2 clearly shows the grace of God and how that man cannot find merit in his own worth to save himself. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Like the example of Abraham in Romans 4:2 we find that works that elevate man to a position of saving himself is dead works. Salvation comes through grace, faith and the gift of God.

Paul tells Titus “the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). This helps to understand the nature of dead works. God’s grace is found in the appearance of Jesus Christ. Man could not do that. Man could not conceive of that salvation. Man could not offer that level of sacrifice. John declares that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Where is man’s boasting there?

Works that are dead are those works where man seeks to find justification in who he is and what he is apart from the grace of God. These works led men to turn every intent of the thoughts of their hearts to evil continually (Genesis 6:5). Boastful works brought men together at a place to build a city and a tower “whose top is in the heavens” and seeking to make a name for themselves (Genesis 11:4). These works are dead!word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:21-23)

The Bible clearly shows that man is saved by faith and works. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). There are works that justify a man before God. The Lord tells us that we are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Those who deny salvation by works deny salvation by belief. The scriptures teach that salvation is through belief (John 3:16) and the general feeling of many in the religious community is that salvation comes by faith only – not by works. Can works save a man? The people asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:28-29). The work of God is believing on Jesus Christ. If a man is not saved by works then he cannot be saved by believing. Belief is a work!

Works makes faith perfect. James uses Abraham as an example of the necessity of faith and works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect” (James 2:21-22)? The Holy Spirit declares that Abraham was justified by works. Obedient faith is the action of a man’s willingness to follow the will of God and thereby justify himself before God. Abraham not only believed but he “offered Isaac his son on the altar” and showed his faith working with his works that brought about his righteousness. Abraham was not saved by faith alone.

Faith alone cannot save you. Again James writes, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14). Faith exercised through works justifies a man and makes him acceptable to God. The apostle Peter said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35). Paul would write to the church at Philippi and exhort them to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

How is it possible to be saved by the grace of God, faith in Jesus Christ and the works manifested in a man’s life? Noah was saved by the grace of God, his faith in God and his works. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen [GRACE], moved with godly fear [FAITH], prepared an ark for the saving of his household [WORKS], by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7). Was Noah saved by grace alone? No. Was Noah saved by faith alone? No. Was Noah saved by works alone? No. Was Noah saved by grace, faith and works? Yes.

Can I be saved by grace alone? No. Can I be saved by faith alone? No. Can I be saved by works alone? No. Can I be saved by grace, faith and works? Yes. I must believe in the saving power of God’s grace and through faith be justified before the Lord. I must “do the will of the Father” (Matthew 7:21) in order to be saved. Anything less and I will not be saved. Faith alone is dead faith and will not save you. Follow the will of the Lord and reject the false teachings of men.

“In vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9)

As Jesus looked out over the multitudes who had gathered to Him for healing and teaching, He offered what is universally recognized as one of the most profound messages of His personal ministry (Matthew 5-7). The Lord began with a concise description of what we must become if we would have a place in His kingdom. And it is no accident that Jesus began by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:3).

So essential is this trait in us, that to lack it makes any consideration of the rest of the list merely academic. If we miss this fundamental key to discipleship, we’ll miss it all. To be poor in spirit is to be humble, yet the terminology is so much more expressive. The term poor is closely akin to begging or crouching down in fear in recognition of one’s helplessness and unworthiness. It evokes the imagery of a slave bowing low before his master, without whose beneficence the slave has nothing. It denotes a total poverty of spirit, a sense of utter helplessness without the mercy of a Savior. It reflects a sense of true dependency on another.

Hear the venerable David Lipscomb: “When we say that a man is poor in purse, we mean that he has no money or money resources; when a man is poor in spirit, it must mean that he is without spiritual strength or development. When one realizes that he is in a lost and helpless condition spiritually, that he is not able to save himself, that he has no powers within him that can safely guide him, that he is dependent on God for spiritual guidance and strength, he is poor in spirit” (Q & A, pp. 328-9).

Not only must we have this sense of spiritual neediness about ourselves in order to seek the Lord for salvation, but it is a neediness from which we had better never recover! Paul rebuked the Corinthian brethren for having devolved into spiritual arrogance: “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7). What forgiveness had they wrought for themselves? What truth had they discovered on their own? Instead of humbly acknowledging their dependence upon God, they behaved as if God should be honored to have them.

Spiritual pride is an insidious evil. On the one hand, scripture tells us that we are complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10). In Him we have “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3). In spite of physical poverty, saints in Smyrna were spiritually rich (Revelation 2:9). Christians are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). We are to know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

But on the other hand, we have earned nothing; we have provided nothing for ourselves. We were spiritual beggars to whom God has shown mercy. We are altogether dependent upon His grace for our spiritual well-being. Yes, we responded with “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5), but had it not been for God’s grace and mercy we would have had nothing to respond to (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:14).

And even now as Christians we “sin and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The apostle John plainly states to Christians, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Upon being baptized into Christ we are not miraculously transformed into sinless paragons of moral excellence; we continue to struggle with sin, even as we endeavor to grow in faith. Though we are children of God, we continue to find ourselves in need of His grace and mercy in order to maintain that relationship. And thankfully, God continues to extend it to us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Who among us has any rightful claim to perfection? Who among us is justified in being proud of his humility? Who among us has any right to look condescendingly upon sinners not yet cleansed by the blood of Christ, in view of his own personal unworthiness? Spiritual pride becomes no one. Being poor in spirit is not a concept that squares easily with the self-worship of pop-psychology, nor with the prevalent mindset of Christendom which has been infected by the same. Instead of poverty in spirit, much in modern life and religion focuses on the exaltation of self. The philosophy of “feeling good about yourself” through religious “celebration” featuring “special music,” dramatic productions, and fluffy sermonettes is guaranteed to “grow” churches. But mindless religion can never grow true Christians.

Such approaches allow people to “experience” religion without having to confront their own sinfulness. Sadly, some brethren worry that too much emphasis on sin might discourage visitors. We seem to forget that the priority in congregational worship is edification of the saints (1 Corinthians 14) and not catering to the masses. And when we do have visitors, what is the main priority of the gospel? To save people from sin which must be addressed. No one can be saved from danger unless he’s made to see the danger.

Jesus sat on the mountain, fishing for kingdom people. His bait repulsed many who were too proud to admit sin, but “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37). The words of Jesus are timeless: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” We will never be kingdom people without the neediness of spirit that forces us to throw ourselves on the mercy of God. May He help us never to forget just how needy we are.

· From history’s pages we learn of a cowardly young soldier in the army of Alexander the Great. Whenever the battle grew fierce, the young soldier would yield. The general’s pride was cut because this timid soldier also bore the name Alexander. One day Alexander the Great sternly addressed him and said, “Stop being a coward or drop that good name.” The call to all Christians is the same today. May we faithfully live up to all the name Christian implies. [George Sweeting]

· James Dobson’s mother tells the story of her days in school where the football team had lost every game for four years. One day the local Ford dealer took things into his own hands and told the team, coaches and staff that if they would win the next game (against their rival), he would give each one a brand new Ford. They took to practice long and hard; got filled with excitement; had a pep-rally to end all pep-rally’s; came to the game fired up; ran over the cheerleaders; met in the middle of the field, hands together; UMPH, played hard football for four quarters and lost 34 to nothing. Spirit and truth are necessary – not just spirit. Knowledge is required.