The Place Of Good Works
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
4/20/2014 PM
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Text:
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Luke 17;
Lord's Day 24
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Psalters: |
51, 112, 206, 375 |
- Not for salvation.
- Any effort to add to man?s efforts to what Jesus has done is a most serious error.
- Sinful human nature (sinful pride) always wants to say that good works merit something with God.
- Matthew 7:21-23 is Jesus? answer to all who think that man can add to what Jesus has done.
- The Reformed faith maintains that man's works cannot and do not merit with God.
- It is Christ alone through grace alone by faith (God?s gift) alone ? Lord?s Day 11; Belgic, Art. 22.
- One, the only righteousness which God approves is absolutely perfect.
- Two, by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified - by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).
- Three, even the perfect human (Adam before the fall) is only an unprofitable servant to God (Luke 17:7ff).
- Four, the perfect slave is still unprofitable because he only what is required of him (Luke 17:10).
- Our works do nothing to earn or lose - the good do not add to and the bad do not detract from what Jesus did.
- Salvation by grace alone does not mean that good works are unnecessary.
- First, salvation puts each elect into communion with Christ, and He makes us fruitful as vine gives life to branches.
- Second, God gives us a forgiveness and righteousness which makes us aware of His work toward and in us.
- One saved by grace (undeserved love) will never be careless and profane about his relationship to God.
- First, objectively true religion is to serve God.
- Second, the connection of Jesus to each believers makes us willingly yield ourselves and our members in His service.
- Third, the justified sinner is dead to sin, i.e., principally no longer loving sin.
- Finally, God treats us as children (not slaves) and gives us wonderful incentives to encourage us in our godly walk.
- Good works are rewarded, but it is the reward of grace (not because of any merit).
- First, we realize that Scripture does speak of rewards promised to believers.
- Second, the Biblical word ?reward? does not conflict with salvation by grace alone without works.