Lord's Day 24

Question 62.

But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness before God?

Answer. Because, that the righteousness, which can be approved of before the tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect, and in all respects [a] conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best works in this life are all imperfect and [b] defiled with sin.

Question 63.

What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?

Answer. This reward is not of merit, but of grace. [c]

Question 64.

But doth not this doctrine make men careless and profane?

Answer. By no means: for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of [d] thankfulness.

[a]: Gal. 3:10; Deut. 17:26
[b]: Isa. 64:6
[c]: Luke 17:10
[d]: Mat. 7:17,18; John 15:5

Lord's Day 32

Question 86.

Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

Answer. Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude [a] to God for his blessings, and that he may be [b] praised by us; also, that every one may be [c] assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be [d] gained to Christ.

Question 87.

Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful lives, are not converted to God?

Answer. By no means; for the holy scripture declares [e] that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

[a]: 1Cor. 6:19,20; Rom. 6:13; Rom. 12:1,2; 1Pet. 2:5,9,10
[b]: Mat. 5:16; 1Pet. 2:12
[c]: 2Pet. 1:10; Gal. 5:6,24
[d]: 1Pet. 3:1,2; Mat. 5:16; Rom. 14:19
[e]: 1Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5,6; 1John 3:14,15; Gal. 5:21

Lord's Day 33

Question 88.

Of how many parts doth the true conversion of man consist?

Answer. Of two parts; of [a] the mortification of the old, and the quickening of the new man.

Question 89.

What is the mortification of the old man?

Answer. It is a [b] sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.

Question 90.

What is the quickening of the new man?

Answer. It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ, [c] and with love and [d] delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.

Question 91.

But what are good works?

Answer. Only those which proceed from a true [e] faith, are performed according to the [f] law of God, and to his [g] glory; and not such as are [h] founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.

[a]: Rom. 6:4,5,6; Eph. 4:22,23; Col. 3:5; 1Cor. 5:7
[b]: Psa. 51:3,8,17; Luke 15:18; Rom. 8:13; Joel 1:12,13
[c]: Rom. 5:1,2; Rom. 14:17; Isa. 57:15
[d]: Rom. 6:10,11; 1Pet. 4:2; Gal. 2:20
[e]: Rom. 14:23
[f]: 1Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:2,10
[g]: 1Cor. 10:31
[h]: Deut. 12:32; Ezek. 20:18; Mat. 15:9