“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian,” G.K. Chesterton wrote, “any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.”
The same can be said of good works. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17), but works are not a replacement for our faith, they are rather indicative of our faith. Good works are an outward manifestation of an inward transformation. Because we have faith, we are spurred on to good works.
Our faith is the foundation on which we live. Our works cannot be our foundation, after all, the Bible tells us that works cannot justify us.
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” wrote Paul in Romans 4:2-3,
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Our good works cannot save us; only the death and resurrection of Christ can do that. As Paul wrote in Titus 3:5, “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.”
Our works are no substitute for God’s mercy and grace. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6). Believing in Jesus is the only way to Heaven; even our most righteous works cannot save us.
Just as our good works are no substitute for God’s mercy and grace, neither is the condition of our heart.
Recently, someone said they’d get to heaven because, “I’m a good person.” Perhaps I’ve read too much C.S. Lewis (is there such a thing as too much Lewis?), but my initial thought was, “where do you get your idea of good?” Lewis once said that, “no man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.” Until we reach the end of ourselves, and realize our need for a Saviour, we often just don’t get it. We truly think that we’re good people. If all we’re comparing our hearts to are those around us that may be the case. But when we compare ourselves with Christ, the One we are to follow after, we realize that our goodness just doesn’t measure up.
As A.W. Tozer wrote, “The best way to prove that a stick is crooked is to set a straight one beside it. No words need to be spoken.” A truly honest introspection of our hearts reveals the truth, even for Christians.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7) and thank God that even though He sees how truly wretched we really are, He still offers us mercy (not getting what we deserve) and grace (getting what we don’t deserve).
Some people may find it frustrating and want to argue that their good works or self-proclaimed goodness are enough to get them to heaven. Let’s not forget that it is not Christians saying that good works and goodness aren’t enough. Jesus is the One who very clearly stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
He is the authority, and it is not up to us to say otherwise.
“God never negotiates with men. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross put an end to any kind of negotiations,” wrote Tozer.
“It is now Christ or nothing. It is now God’s word in its entirety or nothing.”
Submitted by Hope Reidt of Hope Reflected