Plain Words For The Young Who Belong To Christ

by N.D.W. MILLER | Category: Pages For Young Believers | May 1932

Concerning things that differ-

III.-JUSTIFICATION.

Then what about Abraham being "justified by works"? Scripture is emphatic that he was so justified. But when was that? When "he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar." That was well on towards the end of his life.

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise... By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a parable receive him back" (see Hebrews 11.).

On the night that God shewed Abraham the star-spangled heaven (he being about an hundred years old) and said to him "so shall thy seed be," "he wavered not through unbelief but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform." "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness" (see Romans 4.).

In due time God fulfilled His promise, and Isaac was born. Then, after Abraham had proved God to be his shield indeed, and his reward, it came to pass that "God did prove Abraham" (Genesis 22.). God asked for his son. And such was Abraham's faith that he offered Isaac, believing still that God would raise him from the dead, if need be, rather than allow His promise, "So shall thy seed be," to fail. And in this way we see that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God." So we "see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith" (James 2. 24). Faith is Godward: works are manward. "If Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory: but not toward God" (Romans 4. 2). Works, to be pleasing to God, must not only be the outcome of faith, but must be wrought in faith.

We have read that Sir Walter Scott was much puzzled at one time about this very thing, and could not reconcile faith and works. Finally, after much thought, he laid the matter aside, and forgot all about his former worry, until one day he found himself at the side of a Scottish loch desiring to get to the other side.

Standing by, in readiness, was the old boatman, with his boat, and gladly enough, he consented to row the great man over.

When Sir Walter stepped into the little boat, he was astonished to notice-burned upon one of the oars, the word "faith." Looking at the other oar, he was still more astonished to see the word "works" burned upon it. Not only was his curiosity aroused, but the old perplexing question arose at once in his mind. So he eagerly asked for the old man's explanation of the mysterious writing. " I'll soon show you, Sir," said the old boatman. And, launching out, he lifted "faith" with both hands, and began to pull vigorously. The boat, of course, simply circled round and round in one direction. Then, laying down "faith" the old man gripped "works," and commenced again to pull with both hands. The circles were but repeated, only in the opposite direction, and there was no headway. Finally, taking hold of "faith" in his one hand, and "works" in his other hand, he very soon, with a few strong strokes, had his "wondering pupil" over at the other side.

The illustration, of course, only serves to shew that for the believer, there is nothing conflicting between faith and works. and nothing contradictory in the Holy Scriptures. As an illustration it could not apply to salvation, or the justifying of the sinner, for, as we have shewn repeatedly, salvation is God's gift. "By grace are ye saved through faith"; and "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

But the oars in the hands of the old boatman that day shewed to Sir Walter Scott that James and Paul were in perfect harmony-in complete accord.

And so they are, but these excellent things which they set forth, are among the things that differ.

Number IV, on Faith and The Faith, to follow, if the Lord will.

N.D.W. MILLER | May 1932
Pages For Young Believers