NOT HEARERS ONLY...

The indispensability of good works

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

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There are plenty of talkers about, blatherers and windbags. Commentators, journalists, self-appointed and opinionated talkers are all ready to add their tuppence-worth of nonsense to the reigning confusion. Ministers and preachers stand in their pulpits rehearsing the same empty words, or debasing the truth into a series of platitudes. Few offer any suggestions about what we can actually do to bring about change, fewer still are those ready to put themselves out to initiate anything effective. Perhaps it is that no one really knows what can be done, or think that nothing can be or ought to be done. Then the liars and deceivers of men are always with us, opening their mouths wide, making sure they speak loudly and long enough for everyone to hear. They are always active, always ready to move into the space left empty by others.

Where are we? Where are the biblical Christians, those who would take God’s Word to heart? The paradox is that a firm belief in predestination as taught in the Bible rather than producing passivity and fatalism urges to action and effort whilst at the same time teaching that salvation is not achieved by our own works. Nevertheless, works are the essential and necessary fruit of the grace of God. Works make our calling and election sure. Calvin: " See how it is that we do not justify men before God by works, but say, that all who are of God are regenerated and made new creatures, so that they pass from the kingdom of sin into the kingdom of righteousness. In this way they make their calling sure, and, like trees, are judged by their fruits. …We dream not of a faith which is devoid of good works, nor of a justification which can exist without them: the only difference is, that while we acknowledge that faith and works are necessarily connected, we, however, place justification in faith, not in works."   (Institutes of Religion III, XV, 8 & XVI, 1) Quite contrary to the accusations of their opponents, the Reformers maintained that a living faith will produce a godly life, works that follow.

The inner assurance of one’s own part in God’s electing grace is worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of living in communion with God; it does not come by the scrutiny of works. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). It is this knowledge and conviction that 
gives the child of God confidence with respect to the events and conduct of his daily life, especially at times of uncertainty and hostility to the Gospel. It provides courage and confidence to become involved in working towards the realization of God’s purposes in the world. It is therefore not so strange that those who are most active in life hold most firmly to the biblical teaching of the sovereignty of God.

There can be no contradiction in the thought of God’s eternal decrees and a desire to love and labour for the glory of God in this present evil world, quite the contrary. Such convictions give meaning to life, purpose and the view of a certain final and glorious goal towards which we are working and moving in our Saviour’s power and Name. The inner certainty and confidence that comes from a personal knowledge of Christ, of knowing we are one of His own, plus complete trust in His revealed Word are all essential for those who would follow a way of life that will bring us into inevitable conflict with everyone else. To understand and master biblical prophecy and the teaching revealed there about human destiny is the only road to freedom from oppression.

Works are not the means by which we persuade ourselves we are saved when in doubt, but they are a necessary and real fruit of the faith we have placed in Christ to be found in our daily tasks. In everything we undertake, we will have a deep underlying consciousness of being at one with the great sweep forward of God’s mighty work of redemption in the world at large and the final triumph of our Lord and Saviour.

God preserves His truth, but we who are placed on watch must not be idle. Only doers shall be saved, but not by their deeds but through faith (cf. James 2:18). Where men believe they are saved by works, the mentality is to do only that which is required for salvation and nothing more. Those who trust Christ truly are not called to idleness or passivity. In his book The Soul’s Conflict, the Puritan, Richard Sibbes, makes this observation: “We must not put all carelessly upon a providence, but first consider what is our part; and, so far as God prevents [ed. goes before] us with light, and affords us helps and means, we must not be failing in our duty. We should neither outrun nor be wanting to providence. … When things are clear, and God’s will is manifest, further deliberation is dangerous and for the most part argues a false heart.” (Works I, p.209) Idleness dishonours God. In his wonderful book The Bruised Reed, Sibbes writes:
“We have more for us than against us. What coward would not fight when he is sure of victory? None are here overcome, but he that will not fight. Therefore, when any base fainting seizeth upon us, let us lay the blame where it is to be laid.” (Works I, p.98)
We work with God, we share His victory, we triumph in Him. Bunyan too says this that men will not be asked, did you believe, but were you doers or talkers only (Works III, p.123)

God uses human actions, both good and evil, to fulfil His own purposes. Waiting on God, waiting on events – Christian freedom is action taken in conformity to the revealed will and providential working of God. This is not passive obedience to divine authority. Both the human will and reasoning are taken up within the purpose God. God is the point of union between predestination and freewill.

In the protestant Reformation there was a move from the superstitions and ‘magic’ of the Roman church to a direct relationship of believer with God. This brought law, order, purpose, meaning and the duty of the individual to seek and co-operate with the will of God, both individually and on the larger scale. The sense of sin produced by the preaching of the reformers, Luther, Calvin, of Bunyan, of the English Puritans is today more likely to drive men to a psychiatrist’s couch than repentance and faith.

When God brings about change, we change accordingly.  God brings about change, we co-operate, and history continues to unfold. It is a two-way process. The elect are free and work with and for God, the rest of humanity are not free but simply at the disposal of God.

David W. Norris

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  (Galatians 6:9)

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