The herald., 1896-12-14
BAPTIST
.feAtion of God Unto Good
Works

EpneSldnS n-IUs L OF we dre MS WOTk-
marship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before or
dained that we should walk in them"
He said in part: This is one of the
strongest passages in the Bible in re-
gard to the plan oe salvation and its
object. The apostle has that subject
avowedly under consideration. In the
preceding verses he describes mans con-
dition as being sinful, lustful children
of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins.
But God, being rich in mercy :. even
when we were dead in sins has quick
ened us together with Christ .
that in the ages to come he might show
the exceeding riches Of his grace" Then
the apostle explains more fully. For
by grace are we saved through faith;
and that not Of yourselves. it is the gift
of God; not of works, lest any man
should boast" There remains this one
other statement to be made, which is
the language of my text. Above, God
has shown why, as regards himself, he
saved man-"that he might show the ex
ceeding riches of his grace" now he tells
why, as regards man, he has saved man.
In the text are two leading thoughts
Gods workmanship fully explained, and
the object, as regards man, Of that work.
manship.
First-A statement and explanation
of the fact that we are Gods workman
ship. The pronoun "his" stands in en-
phatic contrast to two expressions in the
preceding verse-"Not of yourselves"
mot of works." This work of God is
defned-"Created in Christ Jesus" God
has worked work and this is his work
Two things in this expression are
worthy of our consideration.
l. This work is a creation. Nothing
short of a creation would be sufficient
since man is in the condition the apos
tie describes External reformation
will not stand the test. The work Of
God in the heart of saved sinner is
a creative work Only God can effect
a creation. Man can reform, modify and
improve, but can never create or change
the nature.
g. This creation is in Christ. God
would have remained in the attitude of
mystery and wrath had it not been for
the mercy that came through Christ
Jesus. The mystery and terror of the
Horseshoe fall at Niagara but faint
ly illustrates the mystery and terror of
God out of Christ. But through him he
is God of mercy and love. 1t follows,
then:
8. That all things that man did before
this death of our Lord availed nothing.
, All must come to God in the same way
and undergo the same change Natural,
moral or ceremonial law cannot avail
anything. The apostle would have said
to a moral heather, Salvation is not
of yourselves; it is the gift of God" To
one who had observed the ten COM
mandments he would have said, "The law
is our schoolmaster to bring US tc
Christ" To ritualist, who had been
cic H.
eth anything nor uncircumcision, but
a new creation" I'VE are his work.
manship."
SeconI-As regards man, the purpose
of this creation in Christ Jesus. Chris
tians are created for something and this
is just as much the work and design
of God as is the creation.
l. For what are Christians created
in Christ Jesus? unto good works."
Good works are now possible since the
Christian is a new creation. A sinful
man cannot do acceptable works any
more than a dog or an OK can do the
work of a man, or lion can feed on
grass. Sinners are nowhere command
ed to do good works before God, simply
because such works are for him impos-
sible.
2. Note the certain purpose God had
in mind in regard to the end of the
Christians creation in Christ, (which
God hath before ordained" God or
dained and prepared good works before
he created the Christian in Christ Je-
sus. Even as he prepared the creation
and the means of it, so he prepared the
good works The great, loving heart Of
God must be panied, if his children fail
to see and obey this part of his divine
voice.
3. See how completely God surrounds
the Christian with this design. He has
before ordained that we should walk in
them 1t should be the Christians
manner of life to do good works. Wher-
ever he goes, wherever the opportunity
is presented as he goes about his busi-
ness, leans over his counters, walks
along the streets-wherever humanity
needs or God calls, do good works. The
good Samaritan was in an out-of-the-
way place; he might have followed the
example of the priest and the Levite
But no, he had founed a suffering man
and he stopped and helped. Our God
casts this parable at those who boasted
of their righteousness and yet were no.
careful to. maintain good works.
God has blessed and saved his chill
dren; yea. he has done all that man can
ask or conceive. 1t remains for his
children to render to him all that he
has asked for or commanded. To that
end may we ask his blessing and guild
ance this day.
"Come. Holy Spirit, heavenly dove,
With all thy quickening powers.
Kindle flame of sacred love