Why Must We Do Good Works?
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 6/7/2009 AM |
Text: | I Corinthians 6; Lord's Day 32 |
Psalters: | 259, 143, 207, 313 |
- The question.
- The first question can suggest opposition to the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
- Justification by faith alone excludes all human works.
- So why must we do good works if they are not necessary for salvation.
- This question has been answered wrongly in history.
- Arminians and Pelagians speak of good works as necessary for salvation (preceding salvation).
- Antinomians deny a place for good works in any area of the Christian life.
- The Reformed faith maintains that good works are necessary, but they are without merit.
- Salvation involves a real change (I Cor. 6:15,17,19; Eph. 5:5).
- Those who do not sincerely repent may not claim that they are Christians.
- We do good works as the direct result of Christ?s work in us.
- Redemption by Jesus? blood is followed by the renewal by His Spirit after His own image so we are made to be like Him (I Cor. 6:11b; Romans 8:29).
- Why do we do good works?
- First, we are commanded to do so.
- Second, we do good works because faith produces good works (James 2).
- Third, we do good works because love does good works (His commands are not grievous).
- Fourth, we do good works because we want to thank Him.
- Those we believe that without holiness one cannot see God (Heb. 12:14).
- Finally, we do good works to glorify God (Matt. 5:16) because He saves us for His glory (Rom. 9:23).