Day 224

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 7.

“Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use, both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the word, nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful and cannot please God; nor make a man meet to receive grace from God; and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God.”

Scripture Lookup

2 Kings 10:30

1 Kings 21:27,29

Genesis 4:5

Hebrews 11:4,6

1 Corinthians 13:1

Matthew 6:2,5

Amos 5:21,22

Romans 9:16

Titus 3:5

Job 21:14,15

Matthew 25:41-43

Reflection

Unbelievers can do many things. They can treat the wounded and sick; they can clothe and shelter the poor. They have the ability to pray, attend church, and give generously to charity. Every day these acts are carried out by those who are unregenerate. These are works which are commanded by God in His word. Aren’t they, then, good works?

These works, although good in that they are commanded by God in His word, can never be acceptable to God for salvation. Good works proceed wholly from the Spirit indwelling a regenerate heart. If the Holy Spirit has not changed the heart to will that which is good, then all the work done proceeds from a corrupt nature that is opposite to all good. The action may be beneficial, but the source is what determines whether the work is truly good.

…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. -1 Samuel 16:7

Why should the unregenerate do any work considered “good”, then? Because such actions are commanded by God. While unacceptable to God for salvation, doing works that God commands is advantageous for the world.  Lives are spared. Physical ailments are treated. Material comfort is shared. While this earth is a violent, evil place, it is not full of destruction, for in the Lord’s providence the sinful actions of men are bound, ordered and governed (LBCF 5.4). Thus there are benevolent works that are not the sole domain of the righteous, for anyone, believer or no, has the ability to perform them. Even though they are corrupted, these actions are more desirable than totally transgressing God’s law. Through such means, God’s glory and goodness is demonstrated even through those who despise Him.

Questions to Consider

• Can anyone be good without God? Can anyone’s works be good without God?

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?

Day 220

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 3.

“Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them and to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet they are not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.”

Scripture Lookup

2 Corinthians 3:5

Philippians 2:13

Hebrews 6:11,12

Isaiah 64:7

Reflection

Where do our good works come from? While we are enabled to will that which is good, the actions that result from that will have their origin in God.

Every good and perfect gift is from above… -James 1:17

The Holy Spirit works in us to will and to do His good pleasure. Besides all the wonderful gifts granted to us by His marvelous grace, the Spirit is necessary to influence us to perform good works. We are the ones who will to do good works, and we are the ones who do the good works, but we only will and do because of the influence of the Spirit.

Does the Spirit’s prominence in producing our good works mean we just sit back, relax, and only do good when “prompted” by the Spirit? That would certainly be an easy, thoughtless Christianity, but it is not Biblical. After all, we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Work is not a bad word. We are called repeatedly to make efforts to produce good works. However, the impetus for good works is not derived from a sole effort on our part, but rests upon the Spirit in order to carry out that work. What does the next verse in Philippians 2 say?

…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.

Thus we strive to stir up good works in ourselves and others, knowing that it is due to His divine power that we are able to do so.

If you’re not doing good works because you feel the Spirit hasn’t moved you, may I suggest that you read your Bible? As God’s word, Scripture is the only certain, sufficient and infallible rule of all saving obedience. Good works are only such as God has commanded in His word. Remember, the Spirit and the word dwelling in you sanctify you. Pray for the Spirit’s strength to press onward in obedience to all that Christ commands as your Head and King. Apply what you read in His word through the strength of the Spirit!

Questions to Consider

• How are you stirring up the grace of God in you to do good works?

Day 219

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 2.

“…edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glory God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 5:16

1 Timothy 6:1

1 Peter 2:15

Philippians 1:11

Ephesians 2:10

Romans 6:22

Reflection

What is the purpose of doing good works? If Christ has done everything on our behalf that is necessary to be saved, then good works can appear to be unnecessary. Indeed, there are have been those throughout history who have denied the need for any good works issuing from the believer. So what are the benefits of good works?

In the first part of paragraph 2 of Chapter 16 we learned that good works are the fruit of a true and lively faith. As such, they are evidences that a genuine faith dwells within a person, and assure her that she does possess true faith. Good works are also a demonstration of thankfulness on the part of the believer. Out of gratitude for Christ’s work on her behalf, the believer in turn obeys His commands.

Good works, then, contain benefits for the believer. But they provide benefits for others as well. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are encouraged and instructed when they see our obedience to God’s commands. The gospel, beautiful on its own, is further adorned when accompanied by good works. Unbelievers can not fault us when they see our good works.

Good works enrich the lives of believers and affect those around them. Most of all, however, they are a means of glorifying God. The good works that we do as new creations point to our Creator. For these works have been created by Him for us to do. Through the fruit of these works, which is holiness, we receive eternal life. All given by God, all for His glory alone.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. -Romans 6:13

Questions to Consider

• How are you glorifying God by your good works today?

Day 218

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 2.

“These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits, and evidences of a true, and lively faith; and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance,…”

Scripture Lookup

James 2:18,22

Psalm 116:12,13

1 John 2:3,5

2 Pet. 1:5-11

Reflection

What do we prove by our good works? That we’re better than others? No. Good works leave no room for boasting. They are not done to earn favor with God, for we have seen His mercy towards us in Christ. Rather, by obeying God’s commands we see a demonstration of the faith we profess. Good works flow from faith. They are the result, or fruit, of genuine God-given faith. Realizing what Christ has done on our behalf, our gratitude takes shape in the form of good works.

Good works also assure us that we do possess saving faith. We have tangible evidence that our hearts have been changed, because our actions have changed. No longer do we do all things out of an inclination toward evil. Looking back on our Christian walk, we can see that God’s commands have not been cumbersome, and that we have delighted to do them. Perhaps we have not delighted to them all the time, for we still have the corruption of sin remaining with us, but a true and lively faith will leave its marks by the good works it produces.

Therefore,

…let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. -Hebrews 10:24,25

Questions to Consider

• Can you see good works in your life as evidence of your faith?

Day 217

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 1.

“Good Works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy word; and not such as without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.”

Scripture Lookup

Micah 6:8

Hebrews 13:21

Matthew 15:9

Isaiah 29:13

Reflection

What makes a work good? Is it the consensus of the culture? Is it what some learned people determine is good? Is it what feels right?

The only good works are those which God has commanded in His word. “No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18). Goodness does not exist apart from God. He has all goodness in and of Himself. As the Creator of all things, He is the sole determiner of what constitutes a good work. Through Scripture, God has declared to us what good deeds are and how they are to be performed.

Due to the Fall, creation and mankind are corrupted by sin. We are utterly indisposed to all good. As a result, without the work of the Holy Spirit regenerating us, we are unable to do good. Even after regeneration, the remaining corruption of sin can entice us to label works “good” that Scripture does not. Eager to demonstrate our holiness, we may ignorantly create commands that do not exist in Scripture. We may even violate a command found in Scripture because of our circumstances. Our intentions may be to do good, but when they are not in keeping with what God has proscribed in His Word, those actions cannot be called good.

If we desire to do good, then we must know what works are good. Study Scripture, that sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Thus you may learn what a good work is, and which works are not.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2

Questions to Consider

• How have you determined what works are good?