V. 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 satisfy for the debt of our former sins [q], but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants [r]: and because, as they are good, they proceed from His Spirit [s], 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 God’s judgment [t].
[q] Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Ver.4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Ver.6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ver.9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Ver.6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Ver.7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Psalm 16:2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee.
Job 22:2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Ver.3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Job 35:7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Ver.8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
[r] 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.
[s] Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Ver.23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
[t] Isaiah 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.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Ver.18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Psalm 130:3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
VI. Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him [v]; not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreproveable in God’s sight [w]; 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 [x].
[v] Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Exodus 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
[w] Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
[x] Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Ver.21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Ver.23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
VII. 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 [y]: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith [z]; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word [a]; nor to a right end, the glory of God [b], they are therefore sinful and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God [c]: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God [d].
[y] 2 Kings 10:30 And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. Ver.31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.
1 Kings 21:27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. Ver.29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: Ver.16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. Ver.18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
[z] Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
With Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Ver.6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
[a] 1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Isaiah 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
[b] Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver.5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ver.16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
[c] Haggai. 2:14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Amos 5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Ver.22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
Hosea 1:4 And the Lord said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
Romans 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Titus 3:15 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[d] Psalm 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
Psalm 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
Job 21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Ver.15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver.42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver.43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Ver.45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
End of Lesson, Day 56
For Further Study:
CHAPTER XVI. - Of Good Works -- Commentary on the Confession by Gordon H. Clark
Chapter XVI. Of Good Works -- Exposition by Robert Shaw
Chapter 16: Of Good Works -- Commentary by A.A. Hodge
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