Heidelberg 62-64- Good works

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us- by the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Ghost.  (Titus 3:5)

Thoughts: What is the role of good works, and why aren't they good enough to at least give us a little credit?  The answer is that even our best works are not perfect- stained by our motivation or a self-centered way of doing good.  As Luther said, "We sin in our best deeds and in our worst."  Good works are motivated not by our own selves- but by God's grace.  God promises a reward for goodness but it too is not payment for goodness as much as a gift from God's loving abundance of grace.  While thinking we must earn our way to heaven may motivate us to work harder in our own strength,  it would surely motivate us to do more with the wrong motive.  True goodness focuses not on our reward- or what our goodness would do for us- as much as on glorifying God.  

     Heaven is not for good people.  It is a perfect place and has no room for the imperfect.  So when you hear someone eulogized that they were a "good man" that is nice.  It is wonderful to have good people in life- for they keep the evil people away.  But heaven- the presence of God- is not for those who are kind of good- and kind of not.  Heaven is for those who know they are forgiven by One who has the power and love to forgive- Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, may my life glorify you.  Motivate me, help me, provide opportunity and strength to do good for you.  Keep me from honoring myself or worrying about my fate instead of focusing on you- the living, true, and gracious God who is the source of all good.  

Q & A 62

Q. Why can’t our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of our righteousness?

A. Because the righteousness which can pass God’s judgment must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law.1 But even our best works in this life are imperfect and stained with sin.2

1 Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:10 (Deut. 27:26)
2 Isa. 64:6

Q & A 63 

Q. How can our good works be said to merit nothing when God promises to reward them
in this life and the next?1

A. This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace.2

1 Matt. 5:12; Heb. 11:6
2 Luke 17:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8

Q & A 64

Q. But doesn’t this teaching make people indifferent and wicked?

A. No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ through true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude.1

1 Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5