Salvation by Works a Criminal Doctrine

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Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

1. The idea of salvation by the merit of our own works is exceedingly insinuating. When it gains the least foothold, it soon makes great advances. The only way to deal with it is to stamp it out. War to the knife. No surrender.

2. This error is exceedingly plausible. Said to encourage virtue. But where will you find a devout and upright man who glories in his own works?

3. Self-righteousness is natural to our fallen humanity. Hence it is the essence of all false religions.

4. This erroneous idea arises partly from ignorance:

(1)  of the law of God;

(2)  of what holiness is;

(3)  of themselves.

5. It arises also from pride.

6. And from unbelief.

7. It is evidently evil, for it makes light of sin.

8. No comfort in it for the fallen. It gives to the elder son all that his proud heart can claim, but for the prodigal it has no welcome. What, then, is to become of the guilty?

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