Left Curl Lesson 33 Right Curl

Question

Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?

Answer

No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.

Scripture

…yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

—Galatians 2:16 (ESV)
Divider

Commentary

“We maintain that of whatever kind a man’s work may be, he is regarded as righteous before God simply on the ground of gratuitous mercy; because God, without any respect to works, freely adopts him in Christ, by imputing the righteousness of Christ to him as if it were his own. This we call the righteousness of faith, that is when a man, empty and drained of all confidence in works, feels convinced that the only ground of his acceptance with God is a righteousness which is wanting in himself, and is borrowed from Christ. The point on which the world goes astray (for this error has prevailed in almost every age), is in imagining that man, however partially defective he may be, still in some degree merits the favour of God by works…. God reconciles us to himself, from regard not to our works but to Christ alone, and by gratuitous adoption makes us his own children instead of children of wrath. So long as God regards our works, he finds no reason why he ought to love us. Wherefore it is necessary that he should bury our sins, impute to us the obedience of Christ which alone can stand his scrutiny, and adopt us as righteous through his merits. This is the clear and uniform doctrine of Scripture, “witnessed,” as Paul says, “by the law and the prophets” (Rom. 3:21).”

Footnote

John Calvin (1509–1564). A theologian, administrator, and pastor, Calvin was born in France into a strict Roman Catholic family. It was in Geneva however where Calvin worked most of his life and organized the Reformed church. He wrote the Institutes of the Christian Religion, the Geneva Catechism, as well as numerous commentaries on Scripture.

Attribution

From “The Necessity of Reforming the Church” in Theological Treatises, edited and translated by J.K.S. Reid, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville: WJKP, 1954), 199.

Further Reading

“Legalism” and “Works” in Concise Theology, by J. I. Packer.

Song

Video

Prayer

Adult

“Glory in Christ. Glory not in your own faith, your own feelings, your own knowledge, your own prayers, your own amendment, your own diligence. Glory in nothing but Christ. Alas! The best of us know but little of that merciful and mighty Saviour. We do not exalt Him and glory in Him enough. Let us pray that we may see more of the fullness there is in Him.”

Footnote

John Charles Ryle (1816–1900). The first Anglican bishop of Liverpool, Ryle’s appointment was at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. As well as being a writer and pastor, Ryle was an athlete who rowed and played cricket for Oxford University. He also was responsible for the building of over forty churches.

Attribution

From Holiness (Lightning Source, 2001), 115.

Child

Lord God, help us, we pray, to glory in Christ. Help us not to glory in our own faith, our own feelings, our own knowledge, our own prayers, our own goodness, our own works—but to glory in nothing but Christ. Everything necessary for salvation is found in Christ, and yet we do not exalt him and glory in him enough. Teach us to know more and more of our merciful and mighty Savior. Amen.

Attribution

Derived and adapted from John Charles Ryle in Holiness (Lightning Source, 2001), 115.

“Glory in Christ. Glory not in your own faith, your own feelings, your own knowledge, your own prayers, your own amendment, your own diligence. Glory in nothing but Christ. Alas! The best of us know but little of that merciful and mighty Saviour. We do not exalt Him and glory in Him enough. Let us pray that we may see more of the fullness there is in Him.”

Footnote

John Charles Ryle (1816–1900). The first Anglican bishop of Liverpool, Ryle’s appointment was at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. As well as being a writer and pastor, Ryle was an athlete who rowed and played cricket for Oxford University. He also was responsible for the building of over forty churches.

Attribution

From Holiness (Lightning Source, 2001), 115.

Lord God, help us, we pray, to glory in Christ. Help us not to glory in our own faith, our own feelings, our own knowledge, our own prayers, our own goodness, our own works—but to glory in nothing but Christ. Everything necessary for salvation is found in Christ, and yet we do not exalt him and glory in him enough. Teach us to know more and more of our merciful and mighty Savior. Amen.

Attribution

Derived and adapted from John Charles Ryle in Holiness (Lightning Source, 2001), 115.