intentions is not a good work. Similarly, the blind zeal and arrogant authority of Romanism imposes practices, such as genuflection, crossing oneself, using holy water, kissing the big toe of St. Peter's image, which are not good works at all. Since they are beside the commandments of God, they are superstitious practices that God abominates. These are the things Paul had in mind in Col. 2:18,23, where he speaks of the sins of voluntary humility and will worship.
Thus the first requirement for a good work is that it be commanded by God. But why was it said that a donation to an orphanage may not be a good work? Surely God commands us to take care of the widows and orphans in their affliction. This paradox is removed by considering the second requirement for a good work.
"Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the word, nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God." (sec. vii) .
Because a good work must proceed from a heart purified by faith, it follows that men's "ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto . . . there is required an actual influence of the Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure" (sec. iii). Thus while good works are done voluntarily and not against our wishes and desires, they are not the result of a "free" will independent of God. God in his sovereign grace changes our desires and makes us willing.
In conclusion, for these articles must be extremely brief, no matter how great the totality of our good works, they do not merit pardon for sin or eternal life. Contrary to the modernist and Romanist theories of salvation by works, Calvinism teaches that when we have done all we can, we are still unprofitable servants. The Roman notion that some men can do actually more than God requires, and that the extra merits earned by these men avail for other less energetic sinners, is a Satanic delusion. Christ alone has satisfied the justice of his Father, and he has satisfied it perfectly. Deo soli gratia.
ANGLERS
( By The Editor Of The Testament For Fishers Of Men)
Lesson No. 94
There Is Always a Point of Contact. But you must be on the alert for it. The point of contact at the well near Sychar was "thirst and water." Our Lord seized it and a woman and a whole village were brought to Him. The point of contact with the victim of bandits on the Jericho road was "wounds," and the Good Samaritan poured in oil and wine. The point of contact in the home of Judas, on Straight Street in Damascus, was "blindness," and Ananias opened Saul's eyes, giving him a spiritual vision.
In a Southern city, hurrying to catch my train, I inquired of a young fellow standing on the corner, "Can you tell me where the uptown ticket office is?" "No," he grinned, "I'm a stranger here, myself." He was a rather unusual looking young man, stout and overgrown. He had a thick neck and a pair of laughing eyes. Hurried as I was, something impelled me to speak further with him. "Huh," I grunted sympathetically, "we're both strangers in this man's town then, . . . but we are not strangers to Jesus Christ, are we, old fellow?" And I made an effort to twinkle my eye like his. "I don't know what you mean." He had sobered and looked puzzled. Then I said, "But you are a Christian, are you not?" "No," he answered, "I'm a wrestler." "Professional wrestler?" I inquired. Again the grin, as he answered, "Well sorter so, I guess; I'm the fellow that's going to wrestle this local chap here tonight. You saw it in the morning papers, didn't you?" I recalled that I had noticed the announcement of a "bout" to be pulled off that night in the local arena. "Well," I said, "that's interesting. I wasn't expecting to meet a professional wrestler this morning . . . Say, do you know what the Bible says about wrestling?" "No," his tone had a doubt in it. "Yes, the Bible says, 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.' Our big fight is with the 'prince of the power of the air' . . . have you ever wrestled with that fellow?" A gleam of recognition came over his face, as he said, "You bet I have, Mister." "Who got the best of it?" "Well I guess he did." "Yes, I guess so, too. He generally does. You can't beat that fellow . . . Say, I guess you've got a Christian mother." His face softened. "I did have, Mister . . . She was a Christian all right." "And she wanted you to be a Christian, didn't she?" "Yes, Sir, it was her dying request." "And down in your heart you would like to be! . . . and you would love to think you'd see that mother again one day ... up yonder with God; sure you would . . . but let me tell you, you've
