Faith and Works

The following story is told of A.J. Gordon, a convert of J.N. Darby. I find it noteworthy in that in that time it was the dispensationalist who proclaimed salvation by faith alone. Many of the, so-called, evangelists of the day freely mixed commitment with faith, presenting a gospel mixing faith with human effort for justification. I am convinced that many of the revivals in that era were more about conformation rather than transformation. A. Ray Stanford has often said that "the issue is ALWAYS faith verses works." How true this is!

A. J. Gordon while traveling on a train fell into debate with a fellow passenger on the subject of justification by faith. Said the man to Dr. Gordon: “I tell you, God deals with men, not with a little bit of theological scrip called faith; and when the Almighty admits one to Heaven he makes rigid inquiry about his character, and not about his faith.” Presently the conductor came along and examined the tickets. When he had passed, Dr. Gordon said, “Did you ever notice how the conductor always looks at the ticket, and takes no pains at all to inspect the passenger? A railway ticket, if genuine, shows that the person presenting it has complied with the company’s conditions and is entitled to transportation. Faith entitles a man to that saving grace that is alone able to produce a character well-pleasing to God. God cares about character; but ‘without faith it is impossible to please God’ ”