SD 16.6
Savoy Declaration
16.6. Of Good Works
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 unreproveable in God's 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.
Proof texts
- Eph. 1:6 — [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
- 1 Pet. 2:5 — [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Exod. 28:38 — [38] It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
- Gen. 4:4 with Heb. 11:4
- Job. 9:20 — [20] Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
- Ps. 143:2 — [2] Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
- Heb. 13:20, 21 — [20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 2 Cor. 8:12 — [12] For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
- Heb. 6:10 — [10] For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
- Matt. 25:21, 23 — [21] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [23] His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 1:6 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 16.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- 1689 16.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?