The cause of good works, we confess, is not our free will, but the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, who dwells in our hearts by true faith, brings forth such works as God has prepared for us to walk in. For we most boldly affirm that it is blasphemy to say that Christ abides in the hearts of those in whom is no spirit of sanctification. Therefore we do not hesitate to affirm that murderers, oppressors, cruel persecutors, adulterers, filthy persons, idolaters, drunkards, thieves, and all workers of iniquity, have neither true faith nor anything of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, so long as they obstinately continue in wickedness. For as soon as the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, whom God's chosen children receive by true faith, takes possession of the heart of any man, so soon does he regenerate and renew him, so that he begins to hate what before he loved, and to love what he hated before. (Scott's Confession 12a)
Thoughts: The cause of Good Works is not our inward fortitude or determination. We commend ourselves too much if we think that we do good all on our own. The Holy Spirit inspires us to do good. The Spirit awakens and energizes us to do good. Knox also points out that when we persist in wickedness it is a sign that the Spirit (and therefore true belief) is absent. To continue unrepentant in wickedness is a sign of disregard for God and righteousness and the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us to love the way of God, and to hate the behavior and evil that God hates.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love what you love. Help me to be full of your Holy Spirit that I may choose the good- the way of holiness over the way of selfishness.
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