GENTRY — “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:21
While many would rather live by a lie and avoid the light because it reveals and reproves their evil works, the one who lives by the truth comes to the light, that it might be made known that his good deeds are not his own but the working of God in and through him.
The truth of God reveals to us that even our best righteousnesses are filthy rags in God’s sight and that no good dwells in us - not as we are by our natural birth (cf. Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18).
But when sinners come to the light, acknowledge their own utter sinfulness before God and place their trust in the blood of Christ Jesus shed for mankind upon the cross, they are born anew and the Holy Spirit works in them to produce works which are pleasing to God for Jesus’ sake.
They live by the truth and walk in the light of God’s truth, laying no claim to their own works or righteousness but giving all glory to God for His mighty working in them - for His bringing them to faith in Christ Jesus and creating in them a new heart which loves the LORD God and seeks to live for Him and do His holy will.
Instead of being confident in one’s self and saying, “Look what I have done,” the believer knows his sinful condition, but trusts in Christ for forgiveness and says, “All the good that I do is God working in me.”
St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, sums it up in these familiar words: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (2:8-10).
We are not saved by good works, but entirely of God’s grace and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus. Even the faith by which we take hold of the pardon and forgiveness which God offers and gives for the sake of Jesus’ innocent sufferings and death upon the cross is God’s gracious working. But we are saved for good works. God did not save us by grace that we should just sit back and do nothing or continue on in rebellion against Him. He saved us that we might live for Him and do His will! “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Therefore, believers in the truth walk in the light of God’s truth that it might be revealed and shown that the works they do are not their own, but the mighty working of God in them. He is the one who redeemed sinful mankind by the death of the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the one who has enlightened lost and condemned sinners with the light of His Word that they might acknowledge their sins, place their faith and trust in Christ Jesus and then walk in His ways. He is the one who has poured out His Holy Spirit and recreated hearts to love Him, trust Him and seek to do His will!
To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen!
O dearest Jesus, all my sins and all my wickedness You have taken upon Yourself.You suffered my punishment, being condemned and forsaken of the Father as You hung upon the cross! You have brought me to trust in You and Your shed blood for pardon and forgiveness, and You have created a new heart in me which loves You and desires to live in accord with Your holy Word.I thank and praise You. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll, courtesy of The Still Small Voice, Gentry, Ark.
Scripture taken from the King James Version.]
For The Record, Pages 4 on 12/02/2009