Chapter 16 - OF GOOD WORKS

1 Good works are actions that God has commanded in His Holy Word, not those that people invent out of misguided passion or on the pretext of having good intentions.

2 Good works, done in obedience to God's commands, are the natural outcome and proof of a genuine and vibrant faith. Through these works, believers show their thankfulness, grow in their assurance of salvation, build up other Christians, honor the gospel, silence their opponents, and bring glory to God. This is because we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. As a result, our lives bear the fruit of holiness, and the end result is eternal life.

3 Christians are not able to do good works on their own; their ability comes entirely from the Holy Spirit. In order for believers to be able to do these good works, the Holy Spirit must not only give them grace but also actively influence their hearts to desire and perform God's will. However, this truth shouldn't lead believers to become lazy or neglect their duties, as if they should only act when the Holy Spirit gives them a special feeling or impulse. Instead, they must be diligent in stirring up the grace of God already at work in their lives.

4 No matter how obedient a person is in this life, he can't do more than God requires. In fact, he still falls short of what he is called to do. Therefore, no one is able to supererogate or share his merits to others for their salvation.

5 Our greatest efforts and good works cannot earn forgiveness for our sins or the gift of eternal life from God. This is because there is a vast and infinite gap between our actions and the glory that is to come, and an equally infinite distance between ourselves and God. Our works can't benefit God, nor can they repay the debt of our past sins. In fact, after we have done everything we possibly can, we are simply doing our duty as "unprofitable servants." Our good works are only good because they come from the Holy Spirit. However, because they are performed by us, they are tainted with so much weakness and imperfection that they can't withstand God's severe judgment.

6 While believers are accepted by God through Christ, their good works are also accepted in Him. This is not because their good works are perfect or without fault in this life, but because God, looking at them through His Son, is pleased to accept and reward what is sincere, even though it is accompanied by many weaknesses and imperfections.

7 Even when unregenerate (unbelieving) people do things that God commands, and these actions are good for themselves and others, they are still considered sinful. This is because these actions do not come from a heart made pure by faith. They are not done in the way God's Word directs, nor are they done for the correct purpose of bringing glory to God. Because of this, these actions cannot please God or prepare a person to receive His grace. However, neglecting these duties altogether is even more sinful and displeasing to God.