The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-04

Righteousness, too, that comes by faith. In no one, then,
could we have a better example Of Righteousness that IS
attained by faith. Nowhere could we find more light and
information as to the nature and characteristics OF that
righteousness which we receive by faith than by studying
the example of Noah. Noah's righteousness, then, was
positive, actual, right-doing. Through his faith he accepted
Gods warning, and proceeded to built the ark. He and
his house were saved through fath--but it was a faith
which enabled him to build the ark, and thus do this right
thing. His righteousness thus was positive and real-lt
was actual right-doing, building the ark. There was moth
ing assumed, or pretended, or imputed, about Noah S
righteousness. 1t was in and though faith, positive we'll
doing. Now, my friends, this righteousness OF Noah is the
only kind in this world that is worth anything in must be,
however, attained-actual right-conduct and goodness of
character and life. And, yet you often hear of a righteous
ness which is assumed or ascribed to a man through his
faith-that in this way Christs righteousnessis ascribed, or
imputed to us. The thought seems to be that, Christ by
His life of perfect obedience, has laid up a good total of
credit for the human race, and that through our faith this
is made available for us. And SO our righteousness is not
actual w%ell-doing, but is Christs righteousness imputed to
US by faith. Now, my friends, that was not the character
of Noah's righteousness. Because OF his faith rlght-dong
was not ascribcd, or imputed to him his faith did not ex-
cuse him from obedience from building the ark. This
faith was the means and inspiration to him todo this. And
so if by faith Christs right conduct and goodness are to be
merely imputed to US it will avail little. Through our faith
in Him we must be enabled actually to accomplish His right
eousness in our lives if we are ever to be saved. Noah
and his house were saved not by faith alone, but by a faith
that induced him to build the ark. And so of what worth
to any mani is a righteousness imputed to him by faith and
trust in Christ, if he is still going on in sin? Of what
value to you is Chrst's righteousness imputed to you through
faith, if you are impure and lustful in your thoughts, and
in your life of what avail. to you is Christ's righteousness
imputed to you by faith, if your life is full of envy
and malice and hatred
1t is a hollow mockery to speak of such a man as be-
ing in a state of salvation. We are saved through faith in
Christ ; but that which constitutes the salvation is not the
faith, but is Christi righteousness-His freedom from sin,
love and labours for men-in some measure reproduced
in our lives by faith.
Finally then, Noah is for all time the heir of the
righteousness which is by faith. He first of all enjoyed
the blessings and benefits Of faith-he entered upon faiths
inhertance-which is goodness realized and accomplished
in our lives. Would that we might do the same Our
attitude, then, would not be that of relying upon Christ
simply, and trusting Him it would be rather that of loving
Him, of admiring and adoring Him with all ones being
so revering Him, so adoring Him, that the one thought
and purpose of our lives would be to live as He lived.
And we would not have this faith in Christ without know
ing it. And so, if we had such a faith as that, we would
not have to be turning our eyes within, and looking at our
selves in doubt and fear as to whether we have any faith
in Christ or not. The whole life of the man who has such
a faith is transformed and made new after the image OF
Christ. 1t is the one power in his life. He knows that
he has it.