The Place Of Good Works

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Luke 17; Lord's Day 24
Psalters: 51, 112, 206, 375
  1. Not for salvation.
    1. Any effort to add to man?s efforts to what Jesus has done is a most serious error.
      1. Sinful human nature (sinful pride) always wants to say that good works merit something with God.
      2. Matthew 7:21-23 is Jesus? answer to all who think that man can add to what Jesus has done.
    2. The Reformed faith maintains that man's works cannot and do not merit with God.
      1. It is Christ alone through grace alone by faith (God?s gift) alone ? Lord?s Day 11; Belgic, Art. 22.
      2. One, the only righteousness which God approves is absolutely perfect.
      3. Two, by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified - by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).
      4. Three, even the perfect human (Adam before the fall) is only an unprofitable servant to God (Luke 17:7ff).
      5. Four, the perfect slave is still unprofitable because he only what is required of him (Luke 17:10).
    3. Our works do nothing to earn or lose - the good do not add to and the bad do not detract from what Jesus did.
  2. Salvation by grace alone does not mean that good works are unnecessary.
    1. First, salvation puts each elect into communion with Christ, and He makes us fruitful as vine gives life to branches.
    2. Second, God gives us a forgiveness and righteousness which makes us aware of His work toward and in us.
    3. 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, the connection of Jesus to each believers makes us willingly yield ourselves and our members in His service.
      3. Third, the justified sinner is dead to sin, i.e., principally no longer loving sin.
    4. Finally, God treats us as children (not slaves) and gives us wonderful incentives to encourage us in our godly walk.
  3. Good works are rewarded, but it is the reward of grace (not because of any merit).
    1. First, we realize that Scripture does speak of rewards promised to believers.
    2. Second, the Biblical word ?reward? does not conflict with salvation by grace alone without works.