Law of works and law of Christ

An antagonist of Reformed theology writes:

For some unaccountable reason it has become scandalous to some Presbyterians [Calvinists, or Reformed Christians in general, which is to say those who hold to biblical doctrine] to point out that good works are necessary in believers as means of obtaining final salvation.

No, no works are good enough, or just enough, to save yourself. Only Jesus' works are good enough and of enough quantity to save you. This is Romanism this person is expressing. It is designed to keep human beings in the kingdom of death. It originates with the devil.

On a related note learn the difference between the law of works and the law of Christ. That link is to Fisher's Marrow of Modern Divinity. It's a very short section.

------------

Here is the page itself (that link is down as I write this):

CHAPTER III - OF THE LAW OF CHRIST.
Section 1 - The nature of the law of Christ.

Nom. Then sir, I pray you, proceed to speak of the law of Christ; and first, let us hear what the law of Christ is.

Evan. The law of Christ, in regard of substance and matter, is all one with the law of works, or covenant of works. Which matter is scattered through the whole Bible, and summed up in the decalogue, or ten commandments, commonly called the moral law, containing such things as are agreeably to the mind and will of God, that is, piety towards God, charity towards our neighbour, and sobriety towards ourselves. And therefore was it given of God to be a true and eternal rule of righteousness, for all men, of all nations, and at all times. So that evangelical grace directs a man to no other obedience than that whereof the law of the ten commandments is to be the rule.

Nom. But yet, sir, I conceive, that though [as you say] the law of Christ, in regard of substance and matter, be all one with the law of works, yet their forms do differ.

Evan. True, indeed; for [as you have heard] the law of works speaks on this wise, "Do this and thou shalt live; and if thou do it not, then thou shalt die the death": but the law of Christ speaketh on this wise, (Eze 16:6), "And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee, when thou wast in thy blood, live."—(John 11:26), "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." —(Eph 5:1,2), "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: and walk in love, as Christ hath loved us." And "if ye love me, keep my commandments," (John 14:15). And "if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments, then will I visit their transgressions with a rod, and their iniquity with stripes; nevertheless my loving- kindness will I not utterly take away from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail," (Psa 89:31-33). Thus, you see, that both these laws agree in saying, "Do this." But here is the difference; the one saith, "Do this and live"; and the other saith, "Live, and do this"; the one saith, Do this for life; the other saith, Do this from life: the one saith, "If thou do it not, I will chastise thee with the rod." The one is to be delivered by God as he is Creator out of Christ, only to such as are out of Christ; the other is to be delivered by God, as he is a Redeemer in Christ, only to such as are in Christ. Wherefore, neighbour Neophytus, seeing that you are now in Christ, beware that you receive not the ten commandments at the hands of God out of Christ, nor yet at the hands of Moses, but only at the hands of Christ; and so shall you be sure to receive them as the law of Christ.

Nom. But, sir, may not God out of Christ deliver the ten commandments, as the law of Christ?

Evan. O no! for God out of Christ stands in relation to man, according to the tenor of the law as it is the covenant of works; and, therefore, can speak to man upon no other terms than the terms of that covenant.