Answering Objections to Gracious Justification
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
4/7/2019 AM
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Text:
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Luke 17;
Lord's Day 24
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Psalters: |
76, 101, 260, 397 |
- Cannot add.
- Every human is naturally proud of his achievements (and thoughts), and believes they deserve some recognition from God.
- There are good reasons why our good works cannot be any help in making us righteous and acceptable with God.
- First, God Himself is perfectly righteous and therefore He can approve only what is absolutely perfect.
- Second, all the good works of believers are imperfect and defiled by our old nature (Rom. 7:18ff), and “filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6)
- Third, even perfect man is an unprofitable servant to God because he is only doing what is required of him (Luke 17:10).
- Fourth, good works are the fruit of salvation, not the reason or basis for salvation.
- The second objection comes from those who argue that Scripture teaches that God rewards our good works.
- They insist that if God rewards our good works, then that must mean that our good works have earned a part of our salvation.
- Good works are rewarded, but it is the reward of grace (not because of any merit).
- First, Scripture teaches that all the good works of any believer come from God, originate in His grace.
- Second, God does reward His people for their good works (Heb. 11:26).
- The third objection is that if salvation is by grace alone then the Christian becomes careless about doing good works.
- But, first, salvation puts one into communion with Christ. He is the vine and the branches are made spiritually alive and fruitful.
- Second, those saved by grace (undeserved love) will never be careless and profane about their relationship to God.
- Finally, God treats us as children (not slaves) giving us wonderful incentives to encourage us in our godly walk.
- He encourages us to know that though our best is very imperfect, it will be received because of Christ’s righteousness.
- Our unprofitable works are laid on the altar of Christ’s work, where they are “sanctified by grace,” changed into beauty.