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#48387 Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:54 PM
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Annie Oakley
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Annie Oakley
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Question 86: Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

Answer:
Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings, (a) and that he may be praised by us; (b) also, that everyone may be assured in himself of his faith, (c) by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ. (d)

(a) Rom.6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom.12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Pet.2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet.2:9,10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Cor.6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
(b) Matt.5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1 Pet.2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Pet.1:6.7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
(c) 2 Pet.1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Matt.7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Gal.5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal.5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(d) 1 Pet.3:,2 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Rom.14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

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Annie Oakley
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Annie Oakley
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Exposition

This Question, with respect to the moving causes of good works, is placed first, even before the Question relating to man’s conversion, not because good works precede conversion, but because the things which follow are in this way more strikingly connected with what precedes. Human reason argues in this way from the doctrine of free satisfaction: He is not bound to make satisfaction, for whom another has already satisfied. Christ has satisfied for us. Therefore, there is no need that we should perform good works. We reply, that there is more in the conclusion than in the premises. All that legitimately follows is: Therefore, we ourselves are not bound to make satisfaction, which we grant, 1. In respect to the justice of God which does not demand a double payment. 2. In respect to our salvation which, in other respects, would be no salvation. Yet we are nevertheless, bound to render obedience and perform good works for the reasons which are referred to and explained in the above Question of the Catechism:

1. Because good works are the fruits of our regeneration by the Holy Spirit, which are always connected with our free justification. “Whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” “Such were some of you; but ye are washed; but ye are sanctified; but ye are justified,” &c. (Rom. 8:80. 1 Cor. 6:11.) Those therefore, who do not perform good works, show that they are neither regenerated by the Spirit of God, nor redeemed by the blood of Christ.

2. That we may express our gratitude to God for the benefit of redemption. “Yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” “That ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” &c. (Rom. 6: I3; 12:1.)

3. That God may be glorified by us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” “That they may, by your good works, which they shall be hold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (Matt. 5:16, 1 Pet. 2:12

4. Because they are the fruits of faith that by which our own faith, as well as the faith of others is judged of. “Give diligence, to make your calling and election sure; “after which certain copies add the words, by good work*. Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” “Faith worketh by love.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (2 Pet. 1:10. Matt. 7:17. Gal. 5:6, 22.) o. That we may bring others to Christ. “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” “Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may, without the word, be won by the conversation of their wives.” “Let us follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Luke 22:32. 1 Pet, 3:1. Rom. 14:19.) These causes now must be explained and urged with great diligence, in our sermons and exhortations to the people; and here we may cite, as being in point, the whole of the sixth chapter, and the first part of the eighth chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Romans, down to the sixteenth verse.
For a further explanation of the first cause, we may remark, that the benefit of justification is not given without regeneration:
1. Because Christ has merited both; viz., the remission of sins, and the habitation of God within us by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit now is never inactive, but is always efficacious, and so brings it to pass that those in whom he dwells are made conformable to God.
2. Because the heart is purified by faith: for in all those to whom the merits of Christ are applied by faith, there is kindled the love of God, and a desire to do those things which are pleasing in his sight.
3. Because God bestows the benefit of justification upon none, but such as render true gratitude. But no one ever renders true gratitude except those who receive the benefit of regeneration. Therefore, neither of these can be separated from the other.

We must also observe the difference which exists between the first and second causes. The first shows what Christ effects in us by virtue of his death; whilst the second teaches to what we are bound in view of the benefits received.

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Annie Oakley
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Annie Oakley
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,320
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Question 87: Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful lives, are not converted to God?

Answer:
By no means; for the holy scripture declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (a)
(a) 1 Cor.6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Cor.6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Eph.5:5,6 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

chestnutmare #48390 Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:01 PM
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Annie Oakley
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Annie Oakley
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,320
Likes: 37
Exposition

This Question naturally grows out of the preceding one; for since good works are the fruits of our regeneration since they are the expression of our thankfulness to God, and the evidences of true faith; and since none are saved but those in whom these things are found; it follows, on the other hand, that evil works are the fruits of the flesh that they are manifestations of ingratitude, and evidences of unbelief, so that no one that continues to produce them can be saved. Hence, all those who are not converted to God from their evil works, but continue in their sins, are condemned forever, according to the following declarations of the word of God: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, &c., shall inherit the kingdom of God.” “Of the which I have told you in times past that they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” “For this ye know; that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” “He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1 Cor. 6:9. Gal. 5:21. Eph. 5:5, 6. 1 John 3:14.)

We may also observe, that another reason for good works may be deduced from the consequence which results from evil works; viz., that all those who perform evil works, and continue in their wicked and ungrateful lives, cannot be saved, inasmuch as they are destitute of true faith, and conversion.


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