17th March

A big scale

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whim we must give account. Hebrews 4, 13

Encouraged by some ingenuous paintings a lot of people imagine God's righteousness with the same instrument. They think that on the day of judgment God will divide the works of each one into two scales: the good works on one side and the evil works on the other side. They think that they will spend eternity according to the works they have done.

Through away this easy and misleading picture! In regard to salvation of the soul human works are nothing, together they are only a breath (Psalm 62, 9). God only acknowledges the work of Jesus Christ; God estimates his job so heavy that the whole humanity could be saved through it if only people would want it.

Salvation comes from God and from God alone. Nobody who is saved by faith in Christ and by God's mercy will rest without doing good works. However, we cannot be saved by good works. After receiving salvation everyone of us can abound in good works through grace.

The New Testament is full of exhortations for good works. These exhortations are always written for believers and not for unbelievers. Without Christ it is impossible to do anything which pleases God.