The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-18

because to a humanity naked and SICK and IN prison theyI
had never ministered. That is, the test, and the sole test
that determines the future of every man WHO'S brought be-
fore the King is that of good works. AS men had labored
for the sick and the afflicted, as they had supplied the
wants OF the poor and needy, they are to receive the bles-
sings and are placed on the right hand. But those who
had done nothing to relieve want and suffering are placed
on the left hand, and hear the words: depart from
me, We cursed" Kind Acts, charitable deeds, loving and
sympathetic labors for the good of men these are the things
that are sought for and it is for the lack OF these things
that the woe is pronounced upon those on the lett. The
test thar is applied to every man is, Has your life brought
forth labors for men, kind acts, benevolent deeds? The
test, then, of the last judgment is good works. And yet' IS
this not somewhat surprising Is it not remarkable in many
RESPECTS Do we live usually with a clear understanding
that our future is determined by the good we do here !!
Would not most men have selected as the final test tor the
religious character faith in Christ, rather than good works /:
Is it not true that teachers of religion often decry good
works? warn us against them ? tell us to beware OF as
cribing any Importance to them, or of putting any trust IN
them Are we not told, to-day, to beware lest good works
should impair our faith in Christ and dependence upon Him :
Yet our Lord does not seem to have any fear OF exaltlng
too highly good works. He does not hesltate to say that
he who gives food to the hungry, clothing to the naked,
who goes and in person ministers to the sick andlmpr1soned,
shall be rewarded. How are we to reconcile with Christ S
teaching here those views on this subject that men hold, and
for which they give the authority OF St. Pauls writings /?
Viz: they quote this passage from St. Paups EPlstle to the
Colossians ''Knowing that a man is not justified by the
works OF the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ
for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified IN
Ibis sight," From this and many similar passages IN St.
Paul's epistles men infer that works are excluded, and that
faith alone is the final test. And yet our Lord speaks moth
ing at all about faith, but mentions works as the only test.
But when St. Paul says that a man is not Justified by the
works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, ne
doubtless means that by the works of the law, that is, by
obedience to the law, by trying to fulfil the lava man
cannot be justified, made rightness and enabled to lead a
life of holiness, and Of love to God and service for men
that this a man cannot do by striving to obey any law
but that all this-this life Of love and servlce-thls Justl-
r i 1r $500. 49,, 1o,J Iy faith in Chrict 60 what the
apostle means to say in this passage is that the law, and
efforts to obey the law, cannot make men nghteous-hl
their life with love and goodness, and charitable deeds but
that faith in Christ will accomplish this result. SO tai, then,
is St. Paul from making faith alone sufficient, and SO exclude
good works, faith in his estimation is the only thing
THAT will result in good works; that which the law and its
works. efforts to fulfil it could not do. And so, in his
epistle to the Ephesians, St, Paul writes awe are MS
, Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them" That is St. Paul's matured conviction of the
place that works have in the gosple,o OF Chr1st-that we are
created in Him unto good works"-thato our whole existence
in Christ, and our faith in Him, are unto, good works that
God Himself has before ordained that we should walk in
these good works. Works of the law-obedlence to the
law, St. Paul rejected, for no man has been able to obey the
law. But good works he did maintain as being the end tor
which we are created in Christ, the purpose tor which God
has ordained US, that which we do attain by faith IN Christ
Therefore it is that, as Christ teaches, the supreme test or
the Judgment day is not faith, but the benevolent deeds
that can only grow out of faith, and love tor Christ. How
far removed from the truth, then, is that doctrine that would
contrast faith and good deeds, that would bring them into
conflict. And false, too, is that doctrine that makes the at
tanning and keeping faith and trust in Christ the end OF the
gospel that rests satisfied with this, and utterly ignores
that life of devotion and service that God has ordained
that this faith should enable us to fulfil. How many men to-
day know, or if they know, realize, that faith without
works is dead? Would that all who are SO jealousy guard
ing their faith and trust in Christ might learn from this our
Lords description of the Last Judgment that in that great
day the question will be put to them, not, Have you faith il!
but, What has that faith brought forth in your lives? Have
YOU, under the influence of this faith, taught the ignorant ?
Have you helped the oppressed? Have you gwen assistance
to the stranger who had no claims upon you, and from
whom you could receive no return? Have you, under the
power and inspiration of this faith to which you are cling
ing, done all that you could for the good OF your fellow
men? Under the inspiration OF this faith; have you gone
to those who are in prison to cheer and to relieve them /!
These questions will be put to you some day. his IS the
test that will be applied. Can you stand 1t! II not, that
faith upon which you are relying is a broken staff 1t IS
dead, being without works.
And so, as our Lord pictures to us the last day, as he
makes it's stupendous events pass before us, as we look
with awe upon the determinations and separations and
judgments that are made, the one thing OF importance IS,
what have we done? 1t will not avail in that dread day
to plead our trust and faith in Christ. 1t will not avail to
say that our religious and spiritual life has been constant
and active that we have loved God and been Partaker OF
His grace and Of His Spirit that we have been dlllgent IN
our PRAYERS, and in the reception OF the holy communion:
All of that is important it is the root and source OF all
spiritual life. Yet, if out of all this prayer, faith, sacra-
ments there does not come a life that is active and at work
of what avail is it? Do you tell me that a man has spirit