DAVID DECLARES IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS Devotion 6 of 28 "But to him who DOES NOT WORK . . . " The text means precisely what it says, and is consistently translated in every version. "Worketh not" (KJV), "without works" (NRSV), "without working" (BBE) "is not working" (YLT), and "not because of their work" (NLT). A literal translation would read "but not to him that works." (Rom 5:5a) – Tomorrow:
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:5-8, NKJV)
A FOUNDATIONAL AFFIRMATION
This is a statement of depth, not of breadth. If the breadth of salvation was the consideration, the Spirit may very well have reminded us that Jesus is the "Author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY Him" (Heb 5:9). Or, He might have reminded us that Jesus is going to come "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 1:8). If this was a view of the scope of salvation, mention might well have been made of how we have been "ordained" to walk in "good works" (Eph 2:10).
However, our text is affirming the BASIS of salvation, not its scope. Here is an expression of CAUSE, not effect. The necessary effects of salvation include the holy life (Heb 12:14), crucifixion of the flesh (Gal 5:24), and fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12). Walking in the light is required (1 John 1:7), resisting the devil (James 4:7), and cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). This series of devotions will not explain away those facts. But they will go to the foundation of those indispensable requirements, and deal with the REASON for Divine acceptance.
Where "Works" Have No Place
There is an aspect of salvation in which "works" have no place. This is not true of the whole of salvation, but of its foundation, which is the point of this passage. We must refrain from any attempt to neutralize this text by showing the importance of obedience and righteous deeds. Those matters will be addressed with great power in chapters six through eight of Romans. In that section, the Spirit will make no provision whatsoever for the mind or works of the flesh. But here, the Holy Spirit comes to grips with the means by which righteousness is realized, and Divine acceptance enjoyed.
If one fails to grasp the significance of the passage before us, the teaching on sanctification that follows will be too strong, and will cause the heart to faint. On the other hand, receiving the truth of this passage will fortify the soul with spiritual strength. It will put a solid rock under human effort, and provide an anchor for the soul.
Not Simply An Effort to be Good
The "works" of reference are not simply efforts to be good, as ordinarily conceived. This reference has strict regard to efforts to appropriate righteousness. That is, "the righteousness which is of the Law" (Phil 3:9). These are the "works" whereby men attempt to gain Divine favor, or become suitable in His sight. God does not permit men to develop their own definitions of righteousness. In summation, the Law defined uprightness in this way. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matt 22:37-40).
God is quite clear on this matter, yet few seem to have grasped it. It will not do to love God with SOME of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Nor, indeed, will He accept a hearty, but imperfect, effort to love our neighbor with the same consideration we allow for ourselves. These two commandments are NOT goals. They are not areas in which we are to attempt to do our best. They are to be DONE, flawlessly and consistently, and if they are not, the person cannot be righteous! That is the righteousness demanded by the Law, and it will not allow a single infraction. Because men do not see this has no effect upon the Law whatsoever. There simply are no other works that are acceptable if these are not done – perfectly done. God will not honor works from those who do not love Him as He has required. That is precisely why justification, or being made righteous, is "without works."
As used in our text, "works" are the perfect fulfillment of a primary love for God, and a consequent love for our fellow man. "Works" include all of the ramifications of that "love." That is why "love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:10).
Often, such works are called "the works of the law." With remarkable consistency the Spirit informs us men cannot be justified by adhering to a code of Law – primarily God's Law, for He honors no other code. "Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of [in] Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and NOT BY the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Gal 2:16). The expression "works of the Law" refers to the moral code of the Law, not its ceremonies. It covers all of the consequences of loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. What is even more, all such works are accomplished in the energy of man, not through Divine working. As used in this text, "works," refer to human activity apart from faith and independently of Divine influence.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know in myself that my works are flawed – even when I do my best. I have too many weaknesses, and am too ignorant of what is required, and much more of the means by which I can fulfill such requirements. I thank You through Jesus Christ for providing a way for me to be righteous that depends upon Christ, not myself.