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Here then is truth in the balance. If we have believed in Christ, and become partakers
of His rich grace, what a root-hold we have, and hence, what corresponding fruit should
we not bear! Alas, sometimes we bring forth fruit simply for ourselves, and so are really
empty (Hosea 10: 1), whereas we should "bring forth fruit unto God" (Rom. 7: 4).
Patience is needed (Luke 8: 15), continued fellowship (John 15: 4), and pruning
(John 15: 2). Not only did the Lord speak of "fruit", but also of "more fruit",
"much fruit", and fruit that should "remain" (John 15: 2, 5, 16).
#6.
The place of "works" before and after salvation.
pp. 54 - 57
At the close of the preceding article we quoted part of the prayer of Col. 1: 10: "Being
fruitful in every good work." Following up this thought of fruit, let us now consider, as a
further example of truth in the balance, the way in which the Apostle deals with "works",
setting them aside when considered as factors in our salvation, but praying for their
manifestation after salvation, as "fruit" giving evidence of a healthy "root" beneath.
Here, then, are some of the statements that show how resolutely and unreservedly the
Apostle sets works aside, before salvation.
The first is from Rom. 3:, and represents the conclusion of the argument that fills the
three opening chapters of Romans:
"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the
law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of
the law" (Rom. 3: 27, 28).
Again, in the following chapter, we read:
"If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is
counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4: 2-7).
It is evident that Paul's conception of "grace" will not permit the slightest suggestion
of "a reward that is a debt". This point is brought out very clearly in Rom. 11: Speaking
of the remnant according to the election of grace, he says:
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But
if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work" (Rom. 11: 6).
The Apostle is equally emphatic on this aspect of truth in the smaller, but parallel
epistle to the Galatians: