Proverbs 19:20-21, 23

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW”?

“So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:9-10).

What does it mean to be “of the works of the law?” The word “of” refers to origin. If I am of the works of the law I trace the origin of my salvation to something I have done. Just what that something is varies according to who you are talking to. Some would say it is obedience to the law. Others would say it is your sincerity. Still, others would say it is your will that decides whether to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation.

Whatever form it takes, it is still something you must do before you can be saved. Salvation is the end, the pay back, for the works that you perform. But those who are “of truth” (Gal 3: 9), trace the origin of their salvation to God himself. What we do does not end in salvation. We begin in salvation. Our works find their origin in God himself. (Eph. 2: 8-10). All who are of the works of the law are under God’s curse! All who are “of faith” are “blessed with faithful Abraham.”

Pastor Todd Nibert

Law And Grace

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of 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 is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Rom. 11:5-6).

No two things in the world are any different than law and grace. They are as opposite as light and darkness. They can no more agree than fire and wat­er. What is so amazing is that, while law and grace are so diametrically opposed, the human mind is so void of spiritual understanding and turned away from God that the most difficult thing for a human to do is to discriminate between the two. Men insist on mixing what God has positively put asunder.

The man who knows the place of the law and the glory of God's free grace, who can rest in Christ alone for all that the law requires and justice de­mands, knows the gospel. The first real difficulty in conversion is to get a man LOST, truly lost! A lost sinner is hard to find. There are plenty of weak people, even sinful people; but only the Holy Spirit can produce a LOST sinner. No law, system of works, or moral code can do him any good.

The second difficulty in conversion is to teach a man THE GOSPEL. Few there be that really find it. This gospel of God's FREE GRACE in Christ comes to the lost sinner without any return on his part. It is the gift of God from beginning to end. Even re­pentance, faith, and good works are His fruit.

The third difficulty in conversion is to bring a believing sinner to REST all of his days in the same grace and love that took him in. We are chosen, called, and kept by His free grace. Faith rests in Christ alone! Faith even excludes itself as a work in salvation, for faith is not a thing upon which the sinner rests or pleads. He rests in Christ and pleads the Saviour's merits. It is not the FACT that we believe but the PERSON whom we be­lieve!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin1982)

WAITING ON THE LORD

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” (Psalm 130: 5-6).

Waiting on the Lord does not imply idleness on the part of the believer. His people are active in the kingdom of God; zealous of good works (Titus 2: 14); diligent about their Father's business (Luke 2: 49); vigorous in spreading the gospel by whatever means the Lord supplies (Acts 5:41- 42). Our God highly disapproves of idleness; "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (Amos 6: 1).

However, we do wait on Him for direction, open doors, liberty, wisdom, and for results. Here is the source, strength and the sweetness of our waiting, "In His WORD I do hope." His WORD is always successful (Isaiah 55: 11); His WORD is always true (Psalm 33: 4); His WORD is living (John 1: 14) and powerful (Heb. 4: 12). The apostle Paul declared that he labored much in preaching the WORD, (1 Cor. 15:10) but also he waited on the Lord for the results. Listen to what he said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (1 Cor. 3:6).

Let us be diligent laborers in the kingdom of God, always striving to preach the WORD (Jesus Christ)(2Tim. 4:1);knowing are labors in the Lord are never fruitless. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).