Reformation 500 WEEK 32: Heidelberg Catechism QA’s
86-87
Question 86: Since,
then, we are redeemed from our misery by grace through Christ, without any
merit of ours, why must we do good works?
Because Christ, having redeemed us by
His blood, also renews us by His Spirit after His own image, that with our
whole life we show ourselves thankful to God for His blessing, and that He be
glorified through us; then also, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith
by the fruits thereof; and by our godly walk win also others to Christ.
Having now considered
the greatness of our sin and misery (Q&A 3-11), and how we believers have
been redeemed from our sin and misery (Q&A 12-85), we will now learn how we
are to show ourselves thankful for our redemption (Q&A 86-129).
We have already
learned from Q&A 64 that “it is impossible that those who are implanted
into Christ by true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.”
Good works are the fruit of redemption (Matt. 7:18; Mark
4:20; Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14).
There are five reasons
why we must do good works: (1) to show that Christ, having redeemed
us (from the eternal penalty of sin) by His blood, is also sanctifying and
renewing us by His Holy Spirit (Col. 3:9-10) so that we become more like Him,
“who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). “He who says he abides in Christ
ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6); (2) that
with our whole life we show ourselves thankful to God for our redemption. “I
will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth”
(Psalm 34:1); (3) that God may be glorified through us. “Whoever offers
praise glorifies Me” (Psalm 50:23). “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will
deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15); “you were bought at a
price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your
spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20; cf. Rom. 12:1); (4) that we may be assured of our faith, as we
see the fruits of faith in our hearts and lives (Matt. 7:17; Gal. 5:6, 21-22; 2
Pet. 1:10). The first fruit of true faith is a confession of sins to God for
forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Luke 18:13); (5) that by our godly walk
we may bring others to Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16;
cf. 1 Peter 3:1; Prov. 11:30).
Question 87: Can they,
then, not be saved who do not turn to God from their unthankful, unrepentent
life? By no
means, for, as Scripture says, no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief,
covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the
kingdom of God [1 Cor. 6:9-10].
Because the
unbeliever lives an unthankful and unrepentant life (Rom. 1:21), they do not do
good works at all (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:12). Unlike the believer, they do
not ask God to forgive their sins and to help them do good works. They are
deceived if they think grace means it is not necessary to forsake their sins
and obey God out of thankfulness. “Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the
kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were
washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
NOTE: These Posts were written and designed as bulletin inserts by Pastor David Fagrey of the Grace Reformed Church of Rapid City, SD .
Link to this blog entry as a bulletin insert: Reformation 500 Heidelberg Catechism 86-87
For a double-sided PDF for easy printing: Reformation 500 Week 32
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