Objections to Righteousness Without Good Works
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/23/2017 AM
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Text:
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Romans 6;
Lord's Day 24
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Psalters: |
51, 101, 260, 397 |
- Not good enough.
- Sinful human nature (sinful pride) always wants to say that good works deserve some recognition from God.
- The Bible and the Reformed faith maintain that man’s works cannot and do not merit with God.
- First, God Himself is perfectly righteous and He only approves what is absolutely perfect.
- Second, even perfect man is an unprofitable servant to God because he is only doing what is required of him (Luke 17:10).
- Third, spots adhere to the best works of the saints (Canons V-2).
- Fourth, good works are the fruit of salvation, not the reason or basis for salvation.
- Because the Bible says that God rewards our good works, then why don’t our good works merit and deserve to be rewarded?
- One who gives a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus will not lose his reward (Matt. 10:42; 16:27 Heb. 11:26; Rev. 14:13).
- God does reward, but the reward is of grace, not because of any merit.
- First, Scripture teaches that the power to do good works is of the Lord.
- Second, God does reward His people for their good works (Heb. 11:26).
- Finally, the concern is that the teaching that salvation is without any works of man will make men careless in their walk.
- Righteousness by grace alone does not make the Christian careless about doing good works.
- Salvation puts each elect into communion with Christ. As the vine and He makes us branches to be spiritually alive and fruitful.
- Also, those saved by grace (undeserved love) will never be careless and profane about their relationship to God.
- Because we also have our old man, we need God’s commands, admonitions, threats, and promises.
- Finally, God treats us as children (not slaves) giving us wonderful incentives to encourage us in our godly walk.