Grace and Peace Episode 43
Presbyterian Church of Easton
July 11, 2021
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Heidelberg Catechism
86Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?
A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ.
87Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and unrepentant ways?
A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Christian we are saved not by good works but by our faith in Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of what we believe. But it leaves us with a question. Why do good works at all?
The answer to this is that we have been richly blessed by God in many different ways. We do good works out of gratitude for all the blessings we have received.
We do good works in three ways. First, as we do good we are praising God with our goodness. Acts of charity are really acts of worship. Second, as we do good we benefit from the assurance that God has forgiven us and promises us eternal life. And third, as we do good, other people will see what we are doing and will join us in praising God and enjoying God’s blessings. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the blessings we have received. Help us to bless others just as you have blessed us. And bless them with the gift of faith in your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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