Written by Dawn Rutan
The Westminster Confession of Faith is not one I’ve studied in recent years, but a recent reference by Alistair Begg made me revisit it. Chapter 2 Article II states in part:
“God has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He has made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them.”
The scriptural proof for that statement was taken from Job 22:2-3 (ESV): “Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to Him if you make your ways blameless?”
If we accept this statement of the Confession as true (which some may argue), it should bring us to our knees in humility. Man cannot give anything to God, but is only a vessel through which God glorifies Himself. We can contribute nothing to our salvation, sanctification, service, or worship, except by means of God’s actions in and through us. When we remember that every breath we take, every beat of our hearts, and every impulse of our neurons is only possible because of God’s sustaining grace, we shouldn’t be surprised to realize that we can’t by our own efforts do anything for God.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking incorrectly because we use imprecise terminology. We may say things like, “Let’s worship God together,” or “Glorify God in your work.” That’s not necessarily wrong to say, since Scripture uses such commands frequently. However, we need to remember that we can only obey those commands because God is at work in us to glorify Himself. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12b-13). God initiates and we respond.
I realize this steps on the toes of man’s free will. These days I wonder if we are really so free as we think. It often seems more like an illusion to undergird our pride of self-sufficiency and independence. God’s sovereignty and man’s free will is certainly not something that I can explain, and far more learned theologians still debate it. I can only point to the truths of Scripture as God’s Word:
- “The Lord kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them He has set the world” (1 Samuel 2:6-8).
- “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7).
- “For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10).
- “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).
Let us worship and serve the Creator because He has made us and has enabled us to do so by His grace and mercy!
© 2017 Dawn Rutan. The views stated may or may not reflect the beliefs of the pastor or leadership of Dulin’s Grove Church.
