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Lord's Day 24
Question 62: But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness before God?
Question 63: What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?
Question 64: But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
A.
Because, that the righteousness,
which can be approved of before the tribunal of God,
must be absolutely perfect, (a)
and in all respects conformable to the divine law;
and also, that our best works in this life
are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (b)
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(a)
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Gal.3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:
for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in
all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Deut.27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law
to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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(b)
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Isa.64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and
our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
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A.
This reward is not of merit, but of grace. (a)
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(a)
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Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, 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.
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A.
By no means:
for it is impossible that those,
who are implanted into Christ by a true faith,
should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness. (a)
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(a)
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Matt.7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing.
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