A person may live such a moral life that everyone around him says, “If ever there was a Christian, he is one;”

     He may be such a great vocalist that people say, “his voice is like that of an angel;”

     He may read his bible every day and commit vast portions of it to memory leaving multitudes impressed with his knowledge of the Scriptures;

     He may be very generous with his money to the cause of God and truth;

     He may distribute his wealth to the needy so that the poor do not go hungry;

     He may visit the sick, take care of the widows and dedicate his life to helping others; 

     He may be a gifted orator so that when he preaches his hearers hang on every word;

     However, none of these things can save the soul and none impress the Lord.  As a matter of fact, if the grace of God is not present in the one doing these things, all of these works only breed self-righteousness; the Lord says that those who perform them are “workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27).  Learn this; they all count for nothing when it comes to the salvation of the soul.  That which saves is the substitutionary, justice-satisfying, bloody sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In addition, that which reveals this glorious Savior and His accomplished redemption is the sovereign, effectual grace of the Holy Spirit.  Know and remember this and may the Lord be pleased to brand this upon our hearts: God is not impressed with anything a sinner does.  He is only impressed with His Son and the work of redemption, which He has finished to the Father’s eternal satisfaction!  “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Matthew 17:5).