Justification by religious performances, and meritorious deeds, is nothing better than the old Pharisaism with a Christian name stuck upon it. . . That doctrine makes the Lord Jesus Christ to be practically a nobody; for if salvation be of works, then the way of salvation through faith in a Savior is superfluous, and even mischievous
Interpretation
The quote criticizes the belief that good deeds alone can achieve salvation, arguing that this undermines the significance of faith in Jesus Christ.
In this quote, Charles Spurgeon highlights the danger of relying solely on religious works or performances for justification. He likens it to Pharisaism, where outward actions are prioritized over genuine faith. According to Spurgeon, if salvation depends on human efforts rather than faith in Christ, it effectively negates the importance of Christ's role and the need for grace. This outlook not only trivializes Jesus but can lead individuals away from the true essence of salvation through belief.
In practice
In a sermon on the nature of salvation, referencing this quote can clarify the importance of faith over works.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
The sprinkling of people of color through elite institutions in the United States, due to affirmative action policies and the limited progress of middle-class and upper-middle-class African Americans, creates the illusion of great progress.
There is a fine balance between honoring the past and losing yourself in it.
We are at a time in our country's history that inclusive language is better than exclusive language.
Understand that we are all co-creators of our respective destinies.
There are things I take sides about, like capital punishment, which it seems to me there is only one side about: it is evil. But there are two or three sides to sexual harassment, and the moment you get into particular cases, there is injustice in every conceivable direction. It's a mess.
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