The Fundamentals
116
soul as he climbed the holy staircase on his knees : “The just shall live by faith.” The Apostles bear similar witness. Peter tells of Jesus of Nazareth, and declares, “In none other is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, r . v . ) . Paul is insistent on justification by faith alone. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Rom. 3 :20). “By grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God ; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8 and 9). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of- the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5, 6, 7). (See also Gal. 3:11, Phil. 3:8 and 9, Acts 13:39, and 2 Tim. 1 :9.) NO THOROUGHFARE What need have we of further witness ? It is evident that the way of Works is closed. Athwart the narrow track have fallen the Tree of Life and the broken tables of the Law, and God has affixed a notice there, large and legible, so that he who reads may run into a better path—NO THOROUGH FARE! It is given “By Order,” and the King’s red seal is on it ; therefore doth it stand fast for ever. Levitical instruc tions, Davidic confessions, Prophetic and Apostolic declara tions are all the voice of the Lord—the voice that breaketh the cedars of Lebanon and strippeth the forests bare—declar ing that salvation is by Grace alone. THE VERDICT OF HISTORY The history of man is the history of sin. It is one long, lurid record of fall and failure. Adam had the best opportun-
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker