DAVID DECLARES IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS Devotion 17 of 28 When it comes to the "ungodly" being justified by God, who is the person willing to affirm men can work themselves into that blessing? Who will say they can become like God by working? It is categorically stated that we become "partakers of the Divine nature" by means of the promises, not human achievement (2 Pet 1:4), and are being "changed" into Christ's image by the Holy Spirit, not our works (2 Cor 3:18). How can men, through works, prevail upon God to justify them. It should be abundantly clear to our hearts that the "ungodly" cannot be justified, in the sense of our text, by works. It is our "works" that revealed our need for justification. They confirmed we were fundamentally unlike God in our ways and thoughts (Isa 55:8-9). Our "works" is what required us to have a Savior and salvation in the first place. Therefore, it is not possible for them to be the BASIS upon which salvation in any of its aspects is realized. A PICTURE OF SALVATION The law, particularly in its statutory aspects, contained "a shadow of things to come" (Col 2:17), served as "the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb 8:5), and had "a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things" (Heb 10:1). One particularly striking instance of this is found in the altars Moses was instructed build to the Lord. These were a temporary provision, being put into place prior to the completion of the tabernacle and its various pieces of furniture. These temporary altars could be made of "earth," and were devoted to various burnt offerings (Ex 20:24). If any man made an altar of stone, special instructions were given. "And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: FOR IF THOU LIFT UP THY TOOL UPON IT, THOU HAST POLLUTED IT" (Ex 20:25). THERE ARE "GOOD WORKS" There is such a things as "good works," even though there is no place for them in the foundation, or altar, of our salvation. In the strictest sense of the word, "good works" are the RESULT and EVIDENCE of salvation, and not its cause. Thus we read, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). Another version reads, "created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (NASB). These are not an effort to gain Divine approval, but a means by which we become "laborers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9), which confirms our acceptance. They are the appointed expression of the "new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:24). Jesus died to redeem a people who would be ‘zealous of good works" (Tit 2:14). Believers are also admonished to ‘be careful to maintain good works" (Tit 3:8).
"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)
Nothing made by man could be part of this altar – not even a specially hewn, or cut, stone. The reason is meticulously spelled out. "for you will defile it if you use a tool on it" (NASB). The same instruction is given again in Deuteronomy. "And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones" (27:5-6). Years later, when Joshua led the people into the promises land, he carefully reminded the people of this requirement. "As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings" (Josh 8:31).
These altars were for non-priests, and differed from the brazen altar, which was attended exclusively by the priests. They provided an excellent picture of a chief aspect of the great salvation of God. The altar upon which the sacrifice was made could have nothing man-made in it. This was a most vivid depiction of justification (which is founded upon sacrifice, Rom 5:9), "without works." At the foundational level, man's works are not allowed. They can have no part in the BASIS for being made right before God. Thus, our text affirms God "imputeth righteousness WITHOUT WORKS" (Rom 4:6).
On this matter, not only are faith and works contrasted, but grace and works are contrasted as well. "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Rom 11:6). The "works of the Law" are like stones hewn by men being put into the altar of God. That, of course, is the repeated affirmation of the Spirit (Gal 2:16; Eph 2:9; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5).
It might interest you to know that the expression "good works" is never used derogatorily in Scripture. Many Christians have been fed a theology that allows them to speak of "good works" as being equal with "the works of the Law." This is not true. The words "good works" found sixteen times in the word of God, and ALWAYS in a favorable and commendable sense (Matt 5:16; John 10:32; Acts 9:36; Rom 13:3; Eph 2:10; 1 Tim 2:10; 5:10,25; 6:18; 2 Tim 3:17; Tit 2:7,14; Tit 3:8,14; Heb 10:24; 1 Pet 2:12). However, justification is not, and cannot be, appropriated by them. It is justification itself that is the appointed means to their expression.
God is greatly to be praised for justifying "the ungodly." Only He can fully exonerate them, clearing them of all guilt. Let us be thankful that such a blessing is obtained through "believing on Him that justifies the ungodly." That is a good message with a joyful sound, bringing deliverance and Divine strength to the soul.
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, grant that I may bring glory to You through my works, therefore confirming I have been forgiven, and granted Your righteousness.
– Tomorrow: WHEN FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS –