HC 91

Q91. But what are good works?

Only those which are done out of true faith, in accordance with the law of God, and to His glory, and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.

Proof texts

• John 15:5 — [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
• Rom. 14:23 — [23] But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
• Heb. 11:6 — [6] And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
• Lev. 18:4 — [4] You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.
• 1 Sam. 15:22 — [22] And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
• Eph. 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.
• 1 Cor. 10:31 — [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
• Deut. 12:32 — [32] “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
• Isa. 29:13 — [13] And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
• Ezek. 20:18-19 — [18] “And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols. [19] I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules,
• Matt. 15:7-9 — [7] You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: [8] “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; [9] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited John 15:5 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. BC 6.3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. BC 6.4 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · WCF 13.1 · WCF 13.2 · WCF 13.3 · WLC Q75 · WLC Q76 · WLC Q77 · WLC Q78 · WSC Q35 · WSC Q36 · WCF 14.1 · WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · WSC Q87 · 1689 13.1 · 1689 13.2 · 1689 13.3 · 1689 14.1 · 1689 14.2 · 1689 14.3 · 1689 15.1 · 1689 15.2 · 1689 15.3 · 1689 15.4 · 1689 15.5 · 1689 16.1