The Conditions of Merit
In order that men may be able to merit a condign reward from God by their good works, several conditions are necessary. The first condition is on the part of God. It is necessary that He should have given us a claim upon Himself by promising a reward for good deeds. The Almighty Lord of all has no duties towards His creatures, no obligations of any sort towards us, except such as He has Himself created. Our claim to a reward does not rest on the excellence of our works even when done in a state of grace, nor on their value to God, nor on our good intentions, but solely on the divine promise. Without such a promise the infinite generosity of God would undoubtedly recompense a thousand-fold any service done to Him, as He rewarded the humanity of the Egyptian midwives (Exod. i. 20), and the service done by Nabuchodonosor (Ez. xxix. 18-20). This is indeed fitting or congruous, or harmonious with the infinite goodness of God and with the universal law of His Providence as seen in nature, that every cause should have its proper effect. Scripture speaks of the rewards of God as His promises. "Do not lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you, that doing the will of God, you may receive the promise" (Heb. x. 35, 36). It is encouraging to know that every good act will meet with its reward; such is the promise of God, and it will not fail." I know whom 1 have believed and I am certain" (2 Tim. i. 12). Therefore you may so run and so fight, not as at an uncertainty or as one beating the air (1 Cor. ix. 15), but with a most definite result.
