During the Reformation controversies in, the sixteenth century, Joachim II., Elector of
Brandenburg, said to his ambassadors, who were deputed to attend the religious disputation at
Worms:"See that you bring back that little word ‘alone’; do not dare to return without it." The
meaning of this was that both parties were prepared to acknowledge that salvation was obtained
"through faith in Jesus Christ," but the Reformers insisted on the addition of the little word
"alone" being kept to the front; that is, that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.

There are many people in the twentieth century who are trusting for salvation to the work of
Christ and something else. The "something else" is their good works, their prayers, their
sacraments, or even a good feeling. But if we are to be saved at all it must be by the work of
Christ and nothing else. "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the
gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).

The best thing for us to do is to take God’s reckoning of us, and to admit that we are dead in
trespasses and sins. All that a dead man needs is not religious observances, or fine music, or
devotional feelings, but LIFE. And this is God’s primal gift, for "the gift of God is eternal life."
Surely it is easy enough taking a gift. Then when we have accepted Christ by faith, and not till
then, do we begin to work and bring forth works which God will accept.