154 – Good Works

GOOD WORKS

  § 154. The restitution of the image of God in the regenerate is necessarily 1 productive of good works 2 in accordance with the will of God 3 expressed in His commandments,4 the rule of Christian life, and in the imitation of the example of Christ.5

1.The restitution of the image of God in the regenerate is necessarily…

  Matthew 7:17-18 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

  Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

  Romans 6:2-12 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

2. …productive of good works

  Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

  Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

3. … in accordance with the will of God

  Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

  I Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.

  Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.

4. …expressed in His commandments,

  John 14:15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments.

  Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.

  John 15:10 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.

  Romans 13:9-10 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.

  Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.

  I John 2:3-4 And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.

  I John 3:24 And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.

  I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

5. …the rule of Christian life, and in the imitation of the example of Christ.

  I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.

  John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  John 15:12 This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

  Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

  John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.