Day 223

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 6.

“Yet notwithstanding the persons of Believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God’s sight; but that he looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfection.”

Scripture Lookup

Ephesians 1:5

1 Peter 1:5

Matthew 25:21,23

Hebrews 6:10

Reflection

Wall art. A scarf. Jams and jellies. Homemade gifts involve time, effort, and thought. However, they aren’t flawless, especially when done by children. Odd shapes in the drawings, slubs in the knitting, way too much sugar in the jam. Some people have no affinity for homemade gifts, even from their children. They view such gifts as cheap and sub-par. Homemade gifts don’t meet the standard of these people, and their children learn quickly to not even bother next time.

Yesterday’s paragraph taught us that there are no star stickers or participation trophies for our good works. Our good works do not merit us anything from God, and can in no way repay the debt we owe Him due to our sin. Good works are the standard we fell from, not special achievements. They have no merit in themselves.

And yet, God accepts our feeble attempts at good works because we are in Christ. Because of what Christ has done on our behalf, even though our good works are mixed with imperfection, they do not disgust God. In this life, God’s standard will never be met. Yet God sees our good works and rewards them, all on account of His Son. When we do good works, despite all the imperfections they are mixed with, God accepts them and rewards them, because we are in Christ.

You cannot earn approval from God. Yet because of Christ, you have it. Do not hesitate then to perform good works. Yes, they are inadequate. Yes, they are imperfect. They do not measure up. God knows this. He accepts and rewards them anyway, all because of Christ.

Questions to Consider

• Are you ever hesitant to perform good works? Why/why not?