November 10th: Good Works
Speaker: Jide Owolabi
Why faith without works is dead: antinomianism is much in evidence today among reformed believers. What about the good works of unbelievers?
INTRODUCTION
Subject mentioned extensively throughout NT. Place & efficacy grossly misunderstood by world. God’s religion vs man’s.
A puzzle/contradiction
We know salvation is by grace alone through faith: Gal 2.16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,...” Rom 3.28, Eph 2.8-9, Titus 3.5
What then does James mean when he says, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” (2.14)
Where do works fit in? Even Luther struggled with this.
Must there be faith and good works after all? RCs teach faith + works (grace through church administering sacraments).
James 2.20 “faith without works is dead” seems to be teaching faith and works.
What does the Bible mean, God will reward every one according to his works? Shouldn't it be just grace?
What then about the good works of unbelievers?
THE REFORMATION – a problem
The doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone appealed to many people...
You didn’t have to do good works to go to Heaven. It was a free gift.
So some said: “I’ll believe so I can have Heaven” and then lived as they liked.
Calvin & other Reformers saw that James 2.18 solves this very problem.
“Faith without works is dead” means the fruit of good works always accompanies true faith. Works are a validation
ANTINOMIANISM (Grk: anti/against Law)
It says: Good works aren't important; we will be saved by grace in the end. If the apostle was alive..
Rom 6.1 “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
Does it matter if I don't really change my life? Paul horrified. “God forbid.”
True believers are concerned to please God and honour His law... then make void the law through faith..(Rom 3.31)
New Calvinism movement has been an engine for this (under grace).
Separation from the world under attack .Guise of being “Culturally sensitive” or “redeeming culture”.
DEFINITION
WHAT ARE GOOD WORKS THEN?
Specific theological sense
BCF 16.1 “Good works are only those works which God has commanded in His holy Word.”
They are works that are (BCF proof text) “well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Heb 13.21).
Only those that are “well pleasing” are counted as good works.
What are they? Those in line with God's Word; which express our desire to please Him.
WHO CAN DO GOOD WORKS?
Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him.”
Only true believers can do works out of love to God and according to His Word.
Christians are created for good works.
Eph 2.10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Recreated at conversion by God specifically for good works; His purpose for us.
CAN UNBELIEVERS DO GOOD WORKS?
Broader sense
Unbelievers can do things that God has commanded. Outwardly conform. Exercise justice - civic righteousness.
Can benefit others greatly E.g. Philanthropic projects, kindness and concern.
They can only be explained by the common grace of God (Romans 2.14). But not from a heart purified by faith He/she persists in scorning God’s grace and his righteousness in Christ.
Man's view of good works is always warped.
§ A religious suicide bomber/attacker is convinced he pleases God; but not in line with God's Word.
He has made up his own rules, and does his own ‘good’ works.
§ Someone living with their parents, gets them seasonal presents but not a penny rent or time spent .
Romans 8.7-8 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God”.
1. Object: No love for God: … God is not in all their thoughts
Whereas believer does it or should do it for God’s ultimate glory (1 Cor 10.31, Col 3.17,23) ‘& whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God & the Father by him… & whatsoever ye do, do it heartily (Lit lively, with soul), as unto the Lord, & not unto men’
2. Origin: motive matters
Luke 6.33 “if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do the same.”
On the Day of Judgement “many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not…in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you” (Matt 7.22). The motive was wrong.
3. Matter: Tainted by sin
Isaiah 64.6 – “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...”
You attend church; better than not attending, but meaningless if you haven’t given your life back to God.
But note: BCF 16.7 “For unregenerate men to neglect such works is even more sinful and displeasing to God.”
Not just motion (act), but motive (goal), manner (spirit of gratitude, obedience & indebtedness), Man/woman (In Christ)
IMPORTANCE AND PROFITABILITY OF GOOD WORKS
1. Vital for Assurance
Here is how many believers gain solid assurance.
1 John 2.3-5 “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
By their fruits ye shall know them (Matt 7.16)..
2. Adorn Witness
Matt 5.16 “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father.”
Ukranian Pastor
A)Beautifies the gospel, commends it and vindicates it.
Hard to witness at work or at home? Actions speak louder. Walking epistles.
3. Provocative & an example
B)Witness to believers!! (Titus 2.7) shew yourself a pattern - type/model.
Not purporting that your life is perfect as some charge conservative Christians with, but consistent/striving for holiness and instrumentality.
(Heb 10.24 provoking one another and spurring one another…)
4. Produce a working church
80:20 rule? Business/economics. 80% of the outcomes by 20% causes. Works of the people/visitors invited?
Are we spectators or labourers together with Christ? (1 Cor 3)
It is how the church grows (Eph 4.16 effectual working of all parts fitly joined together).
Danger of relying on the pastor. Becoming more insular, no outreach.
5. Issues in peace within the Church
Christian workers feel protective of the work.
Lazy, worldly believers breed churches full of problems.
6. Brings peace in the world?
Is our primary goal to reform the world? Cacophony of evangelical voices today say yes.
Not what the great commission says (Matt 28.19 Go ye therefore..teach..baptise all nations..). Gospel primary.
Gospel changes hearts and minds, lives and communities.
We still are to do good and charitable things, having hearts and hands for those in need, but not have our chief aim (man’s need for reconciliation with God) clouded by the usurping of a social gospel or it being tantamount to the gospel.
Saying,”poverty kills its thousands, prosperity its 10’s of thousands
THE CHARACTER OF GOOD WORKS
A) Notable but non-ostentatious (Luke 18.9-14). Widows being reported of good works (1 Tim 5.10)
B) Richness: The materially rich in (1 Tim 6.18) are told be rich in good works, and not trust in uncertain riches. All to be
C) Extensive (Heb 13.21) perfect in every good work.. Not just corporately, but to family and strangers. Not just one type of good work (Rom 12).
D) Zealous: red hot with fervency (Titus 2.14), HYMN 477 (v2-5)
E) Simplicity/Sincerity: (Acts 2.46) Not like Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5
F) Patience/endurance Grk bear up under (Rom 2.6-7) (Titus 3.14)
THE BELIEVER’S NEW LIFE
Phil 2.13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
At conversion, for the first time in your life, you can please God!
The Holy Spirit dwells within. Gal 5.22 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness...”
John 15.8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
As a Christian you can achieve immense things. Don't waste the opportunity. Christian Carpe Diem - Reedem the time. Only coveting we should be doing is the salvation of souls.
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY GOOD WORKS WHEN I DIE?
Rev 14.13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
MH:Their works follow them; they do not go before them as their title..but follow them as their evidence of having lived and died in the Lord..
DOES THE BIBLE TEACH DIFFERENT REWARDS IN HEAVEN?
1) Do we deserve rewards? No. Salvation is entirely gratuitous – the merits of the LJC
Luke 17.9-10 – ‘Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded of him? I trow [means: believe/think] not. So likewise, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do’
BCF para 6: Our “good works are...accepted through Christ…[God] looks upon them in His Son, and is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although it is accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.”
Nevertheless, the Bible does teach that God rewards His people for their good works.
Matthew 10.42 – ‘& whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward’
2) Is this saying ‘Happiness experienced in the future life will be greater or less in proportion to their devotion to Christ in this life?’ Possibly yes.
Matthew 16.24-29 but esp 27 – ‘He shall reward every man according to his works’.
God will reward every one according to (although not on account of or because of) his works.
3) On the nature of the rewards – the Bible is silent…
What if you have been lazy lifelong?
Are you not alarmed at the thought of going empty-handed to Christ at the end of life? Of not hearing those words, “Well done good and faithful servant” ?
John 15.16 “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.”
