Notes.—The apostle was not here arguing for justification or salvation by faith and works, but for a living faith—a faith that works.
“There are two errors against which the children of God—particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace—especially need to guard. The first ... is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy. The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption.... Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship.... Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith.... That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption.”—“Steps to Christ,” pages 64-66.
Says Luther: “If Christ alone takes away sin, we cannot do so by all our works. But good works follow redemption as surely as fruit appears upon a living tree.”—D'Aubigne's “History of the Reformation,” book 2, chap. 6.
9. What does the hope of salvation lead one to do?
“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.
10. Upon what condition are we made partakers of Christ?
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Heb. 3:14.
11. Upon what conditions has God promised us cleansing and the forgiveness of our sins?
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9.
Note.—Intelligent faith as to what God will do for us touching any matter must be gained by what God's Word says concerning that point. No one can consistently hope for that which God has not promised. To expect that God will do that which He has never promised to do is only presumption. Faith is distinct from presumption. To have abiding confidence in the promise of God is faith; but presumption may rest entirely on feeling or desire. Feeling cannot therefore be relied on in the matter of faith. Faith is a pure belief, a confiding trust, in the promises of God, irrespective of feeling. This perfect trust enables one to surmount difficulties under the most trying circumstances, even when the feelings are depressed or well-nigh crushed.