Righteousness Is Always Revealed
in Good Works
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the
uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteous- ness. Romans 4:9.
The Spirit was ministered, and miracles were wrought, not by works of law,
but by "hearing with faith," that is, by the obedience of faith,
for faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17. Thus Paul's labor,
and the first experience of the Galatians, were exactly in line with the
experience of Abraham, whose faith was accounted for righteousness.
Let it be remembered
that the "false brethren" who preached "another gospel,"
even the false gospel of righteousness by works, were Jews and claimed
Abraham for their father. It would be their boast that they were
"children" of Abraham, and they would appeal to their circumcision
as proof of the fact. But the very thing upon which they relied as proving
them to be children of Abraham was proof that they were not; for
"Abraham 'believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness.'" Abraham had the righteousness of faith before he was
circumcised (Romans 4:11). "So you see that it is men of faith who are
the sons of Abraham." Galatians 3:7. Abraham was not justified by works
(Romans 4:2, 3), but his faith wrought righteousness.
The same trouble
still exists. People take the sign for the substance, the end for the means.
They see that righteousness reveals itself in good works. Therefore they
assume that the good works bring the righteousness. Righteousness gained by
faith, good works wrought without working, seem to them impractical and
fanciful. They call themselves "practical" men and believe that
the only way to have a thing done is to do it. But the truth is that all
such men are highly impractical.
A man absolutely
"without strength" cannot do anything, not even so much as to
raise himself up to take the medicine that is offered him. Any counsel for
him to try to do it would be impractical. Only in the Lord is there
righteousness and strength. Isaiah 45:24. "Commit thy way unto the
Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring
forth thy righteousness as the light." Psalm 37:5, 6. Abraham is the
father of all who believe for righteousness, and of those only. The only
"practical" thing is to believe, even as he did.
The Glad Tidings, pgs. 53,
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