Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The natural religious nature
of man always causes him to seek to gain some level of comfort
and confidence based on his own activities and faithfulness relative
to others. This is clearly seen in the testimony
of those whom the Lord says that he will cast away in the final
judgment. Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name
have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful
works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.
Depart from me, ye that work iniquity. The religion of the
flesh is consistently and constantly encouraging men to activity of
one sort or another in order to establish a basis upon which
they might prove their standing with God or gain benefits by
levels of service. This religion promises to administer
comfort to men as they compare themselves among themselves.
It is quite common to hear men recount their various levels
of faithful service and the blessings they have gained thereby, whether
it be through soul winning, tithing, or any number of general good
deeds which they are encouraged to be rightly proud of. While
we are quite certain that faith without works is dead, we are
certain that he which has begun a good work in his children will
also perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. This work which
he performs is the source of all good works produced in the
children of God. Rather than these works being
the result of man's tedious and meticulous efforts, which they
can contemplate and recount, they are rather brought about
in such a manner that the right hand does not know what the left
is doing. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and
to do of his good pleasure. When a man has been thoroughly
instructed by the Spirit of God as to the unprofitableness of
his own religion, and convinced that even his righteousnesses
are as filthy rags in his sight, then that man will quietly trust
in Him who is his hope and consolation. The man who is taught by Christ
can find no solace in being more faithful than others, nor can
the degree of any of his endeavors minister a sense of satisfaction
to him. If he is unable to survey any works which are made manifest
in him, he considers himself still at best an unworthy servant,
whose hands are empty before the Lord, and one who knows that
any work wrought by him is first wrought in him by a faithful
Savior. Paul says that the comfort of
the children of God is given to them by grace. This everlasting
consolation is brought about as the Spirit causes them to
contemplate that which Christ has done for them as their eternal
Redeemer. He has taken away the sins of
His elect, cancelling their debt, removing their guilt, and causing
them to be forever justified by the very law which had them
bound and condemned. Oh, what sweet consolation is
given to those who see Christ as their substitute, imputing
His righteousness to them! So our consolation also aboundeth
by Christ. They also are blessed with good
hope. The sons of God find no consolation at all in their ability
to believe, endure, or perform any task which might gain them
favor with God. Yet they are given a good hope
in Christ alone, apart from anything which they might produce in the
flesh. Even the faith by which they lay hold upon this hope
is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. Since
this work of consolation and hope is that of the Spirit, it
comes as no surprise that He is pleased to manifest His presence
in those with whom He is at work. The Lord told Nicodemus, The
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth.
So is every one that is born of the Spirit. One cannot see
the wind, but one can see the effects of the wind. They are
established in every good word and work. The man who is devoid
of this working of the Spirit is devoid of faith and salvation. The reborn sons of God are given
a delight in the word of God. They prize it and desire to be
doers of it and not hearers only. The price of wisdom is above
rubies. David testified of old, Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against Thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord,
teach me thy statutes. They are led into truth by the
same Spirit that gives them eyes to see it. The testimony of the
sons of God can be found only in this word. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Let not
any man think himself to be a follower of Christ, who is devoid of good
works. This is folly and is a hope without
foundation, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly
lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this
present world, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself
for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Yet these
works are the fruit of His Spirit, and not their own endeavors.
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