16.2 Section II

    Section II.–These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.

Exposition Our good works cannot be profitable to God; for he is infinitely perfect and all-sufficient in himself, and no addition can be made to his essential glory or felicity.–Job xxii. 2, xxxv. 7. Neither can our good works have any influence upon our justification before God; for "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight."–Rom. iii. 20. For can our good works be the ground of our title to leaven, or to eternal life, for "eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord."–Rom. vi. 23. Still, however, the performance of good works must be constantly inculcated and earnestly urged upon all Christians; and they serve many valuable purposes. Hence the solemn injunction which Paul laid upon Titus, and in him upon all other ministers of the gospel: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men."–Tit. iii. 8. Several of the important uses of good works are here specified.

1. They are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith. An inoperative faith, which produces not the fruits of righteousness, is pronounced by the Apostle James to be dead.–James ii. 2, 6. Of a living faith good works are the native fruits, and they are the proper evidences that faith is unfeigned. "Show me," says the same apostle, "thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." James ii. 18.

2. Good works are suitable expressions of gratitude to God. None can render any proper recompense to God for his inestimable blessings; but all Christians are indispensably bound to glorify him by a universal and cheerful obedience to his commandments; and their good works are, as it were, thank offerings to God for his benefits bestowed upon them.

3. Good works strengthen the assurance of believers They both confirm their assurance of faith, and increase their assurance of personal interest in Christ, and his great salvation. "Hereby eve do know that we know him," says the beloved disciple, "if we keep his commandments." - 1 John ii. 3.

4. The good works of believers edify their fellow-Christians. Those who are careful to maintain good works become patterns to others, and stir them up to a holy emulation. Hence the apostle Paul informed the believers at Corinth, that their zeal, in contributing for the poor saints at Jerusalem, "had provoked very many."–2 Cor. ix. 2.

5. They adorn the professor of the gospel. Practical godliness is the brightest ornament of the Christian religion. Hence Christians are exhorted by the faithful discharge of the duties of their station and relation, to "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."–Tit. ii. 10.

6. They stop the mouth of adversaries. When professing Christians have "a conversation becoming the gospel," and are "ready to every good work," they recommend religion to others, silence the adversaries of the truth, and convince them of the injustice of those reproaches which have been cast upon the gospel, as having a tendency to licentiousness. "So is the will of God," says an apostle, "that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." - 1 Pet. ii. 15.

7. They glorify God. The more fruitful believers are in good works, the more is God glorified; for "herein", says our Lord, "is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit."–John xv. 8. By their good works Christians not only glorify God themselves, but may lead others to glorify him also. "Let your light so shine before men," says our Saviour, "that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."–Matt. v. 16.

8. Good works are essentially prerequisite to an admission into heaven. Though they do not merit everlasting life, yet they are indispensably necessary in all who are "heirs of the grace of life." Believers, "being made free from sin, have their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."–Rom. vi. 22.