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AN ESTABLISHED HEART (II)
THURSDAY, JUNE 10
Hebrews 13:9

Galatians 5:1-12

 

“…not with meats,
which have not profited them

that have been occupied therein.”

 

AN ESTABLISHED HEART (II)
 
It is “a good thing” for the heart to be established “with grace,” not only because this is according to the truth of God revealed in His Word, but also because the alternative is entirely unprofitable. This the writer of the book of Hebrews expressly mentions as an argument to strengthen his case and encourage his readers: “not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein” (Heb 13:9).
 
The tragedy of those who seek to rest even partly in their own works, rather than entirely in the grace of God, is that even this partial dependence on their own ability will utterly fail them. The Apostle Paul makes this case very forcefully in his epistle to the Galatians. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal 3:10). And speaking specifically of circumcision, which those who sought to deceive the Galatians especially pressed as necessary  for salvation, Paul states in no uncertain terms, “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal 5:3-4).
 
Dear reader, it is simply not possible for us to earn any merit or favour with God by keeping His law on our own strength. We cannot on our own progress even one step towards salvation. Those who try to mix grace with works, end up fallen from grace, and burdened with works that are no better than “filthy rags” (Isa 64:6).
 
It is not that works are irrelevant, of course, but they are the fruit of God’s work in us, rather than the root of our approach to Him. Yes, “we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14), yet this love is not our own work, but God’s workmanship (cf. Eph 2:10). We ought to be “occupied” (Heb 13:9), therefore, not in seeking to earn merit for ourselves, but in working to glorify God: in the former, there is no prospect but failure; in the latter, there is infinite profit.
 
THOUGHT: “Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” (Hoffman)

PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul”! (Sykes)

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