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16.1 16.3
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1689 16.2 Of Good Works
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Of Good Works

Section 16.2

These good works, done in obedience to Gods commandments, are the fruits, and evidences of a true, and lively faith; and by them Believers manifest their thankfullness, strengthen their assurance, edifie their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end eternal life.

See also in WCF: 16.1 See also in WSC: Q85, Q86, Q87 Compare: Of Good Works
James 2:18, 22
[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
Psalms 116:12, 13
[12] What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? [13] I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,
1 John 2:3, 5
[3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
2 Peter 1:5-11
[5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [8] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:16
[16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Timothy 6:1
[1] Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
1 Peter 2:15
[15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Philippians 1:11
[11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Ephesians 2:10
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Romans 6:22
[22] But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
See also in WCF
16.1
See also in WSC
Q85 Q86 Q87
Compare by doctrine
Of Good Works

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16.1 16.3

Chapter 16: Of Good Works

Good works as the fruit of faith and obedience

Of Good Works

Section 16.1

Good Works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy word; and not such as without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions.

Of Good Works

Section 16.2

These good works, done in obedience to Gods commandments, are the fruits, and evidences of a true, and lively faith; and by them Believers manifest their thankfullness, strengthen their assurance, edifie their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end eternal life.

Of Good Works

Section 16.3

Their ability to do good works, is not at all of themselves; but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of his good pleasure; yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the Grace of God that is in them.

Of Good Works

Section 16.4

They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to superrogate, and to do more then God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.

Of Good Works

Section 16.5

We cannot by our best works merit pardon of Sin or Eternal Life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit, nor satisfie for the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because as they are good they proceed from his Spirit, and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of Gods judgement.

Of Good Works

Section 16.6

Yet notwithstanding the persons of Believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in Gods sight; but that he looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.

Of Good Works

Section 16.7

Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use, both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the word, nor to a right end the glory of God; they are therefore sinful and cannot please God; nor make a man meet to receive grace from God; and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God.