69. LAW AND WORKS.
1. Everyone will be judged according to works (Romans 2:5-10, 12). See Judgment.
As many as have sinned without the law shall perish without the law; and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. For not the hearers of the law shall be justified by God, but the doers of the law shall be justified (Romans 2:12, 13).
The nations, which have not the law, do by nature the things of the law; these are the law unto themselves; which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bears witness for them (Romans 2:14, 15).
By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified before God (Romans 3:20). The reason why all are sinners is given in the preceding verse.
Boasting is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? Not so, but we establish the law (Romans 3:27-28, 31).
If Abraham was justified by works, he hath glory, and not from God. The Scripture saith, Abraham believed in God, and it was imputed to him for justice. Now to him that worketh, the reward is not imputed of grace but of debt. But to him that worketh not but believeth, on him that justifies the ungodly, faith is imputed for justice. David says, Happy is the man to whom God imputeth justice without works: Happy are they whose iniquities are remitted, and whose sins are hidden; happy is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin (Romans 4:2-9, 13, 22).
How we are to understand that we are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6). See Regeneration.
The law has revealed what sin and lust are (Romans 7:7-11, 13 seq.).
The law is spiritual, man is carnal. Not what I wish I do, but what I hate, that I do. I see another law in my members which wars against the law of my mind; I consent to the law of God according to the internal man. For with my mind I serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:14-25).
If by grace, then it is no more of works, since grace is no more grace; but if it be of works, then it is no more grace, since work is no more work (Romans 11:6).
Charity is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10). See Charity.
He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: but he that soweth with blessings shall also reap with blessings (2 Corinthians 4:6).
