Graciously Justified Unto Good Works

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Ephesians 2:8-10; Lord's Day 24
Psalters: 76, 378, 112, 311
  1. Their damnable unworthiness.
    1. There are two serious and prevalent errors at work concerning good works.
      1. First, human nature (sinful pride) always wants to say that good works merit something with God.
      2. The opposite error is Anti-nomianism: good works are always unnecessary and are almost an evil.
    2. The Reformed faith maintains that man?s works cannot and do not merit with God.
      1. First, God approves of only perfect righteousness which no child of Adam can ever do.
      2. Second, every work of every human does not and cannot accomplish or earn salvation.
        1. One, no human is sinless and our best works are ?as filthy rags? (Isaiah 64:6).
        2. Two, those who think that they can earn their way into heaven hear Jesus say, ?I never knew you? (Matt. 7:21-23).
        3. Three, even the perfect human (Adam before the fall) is only an unprofitable servant to God (Luke 17:7ff).
  2. The enemies of the Reformed charge us with living carelessly because we deny good works save.
    1. They say that if good works do not save, then believers will live carelessly and profane.
    2. One saved by grace (undeserved love) will never be careless and profane about his relationship to God.
      1. First, objectively true religion is to serve God.
      2. Second, faith is a living bond which unites one to Jesus.
      3. Third, the justified sinner is dead to sin (while the ungodly are alive to sin).
      4. One who receives such amazing love is humbled and renders grateful returns of ardent love.
  3. God so works salvation in us that it is unto good works (text).
    1. Grace does not mean that good works are unnecessary.
    2. God determines to reward our good works with a reward of grace, not one of merit.
      1. Scripture speaks of this kind of ?reward? many times.
      2. The Biblical word ?reward? does not conflict with salvation being by grace alone without works.
    3. Finally, God treats us as children (not slaves) and gives us wonderful incentives to encourage us in our godly walk.