“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing,
if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you
this day; and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord
your God.” Deut. 11:26-28. This is the living word of God, addressed to
each one of us personally. “The law worketh wrath” (Rom. 4:15), but the
wrath of God comes only on the children of disobedience (Eph. 5:6). If
we truly believe, we are not condemned, but only because faith brings us
into harmony with the law—the life of God. “Whoso looketh into the
perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
James 1:25.
[Sidenote: Good Works.]
The Bible does not disparage good works. On the contrary, it exalts
them. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou
affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful
to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable.” Titus
3:8. The charge against the unbelieving is that they are “unto every
good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16. Timothy was exhorted to “charge them
that are rich in this world,” “that they do good, that they be rich in
good works.” 1 Tim. 6:17, 18. And the apostle Paul prayed for us all,
that we might “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful
in every good work.” Col. 1:10. Still further, we are assured that God
has created us in Christ Jesus “unto good works,” “that we should walk
in them.” Eph. 2:10.
He has Himself prepared these works for us, wrought them out, and laid
them up for all who trust in Him. Ps. 31:19. “This is the work of God,
that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:29. Good works are
commended, but we can not do them. They can be performed only by the One
who is good, and that is God. If there be ever any good in us, it is God
who worketh in us. There is no disparagement of anything that He does.
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in
you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to
whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Heb. 13:20, 21.
[Sidenote: Who Are the Just?]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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