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Depravity and Regeneration (10): The Exhortations to Good Works
What follows is the tenth entry of a series of articles written by Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma....
Depravity and Regeneration (9): The Nature of Good Works
The nature of a good work is rooted in a believer’s desire to please God. Yes, a believer does good works to please God! Do not twist this to say that this means a believer does good works in order to merit God’s love and favor. The regenerated child of God is already the object of God’s love and favor for Christ’s sake alone. But, being redeemed, the child of God seeks to please his heavenly Father, as a child (who already is loved and adored by father) seeks to please his earthly father. “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” 1 John 3:22. Or perhaps even more clearly in 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.”
Depravity and Regeneration (8): "Created in Christ Jesus Unto Good Works"
Sanctified sinner: are you able to do works that are good, works with which God is pleased? Mind you, I am not asking whether these works justify you. I am not asking whether these works merit anything in God’s sight. I am simply asking you if you are able to do works that are good? The answer to this question is, according to Scripture: yes! 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.” Or again, 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.” These good works the sanctified believer performs. God does not perform them for us. The Spirit of Christ that works in the hearts of his people does not perform them for us. That Spirit who has cleansed us in the blood of Christ and who restores to us the image of God has renewed our minds and wills in order that we are able to perform good works.
Depravity and Regeneration (7): Good Works
What follows is the seventh entry of a series of articles written by Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma....
Depravity and Regeneration (6): Sanctified
God’s Word clearly teaches that one cannot be justified without also being sanctified. All among us would agree that this is true. But would such agreement be expressed if we were to say that sanctification is as fundamental to our salvation as justification? Justification does not trump sanctification. Would agreement be expressed if we were to say that sanctification is the purpose of God in electing us? Ephesians 1:4: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Would agreement be expressed if we were to say that our sanctification is the purpose of Christ in saving us? John 17:17-19: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” Sanctification is as much a necessary work of God’s grace as is our justification. Why is it that I have heard more than once when speaking of the obligation to walk in obedience to the commands of Scripture the puzzling response, “yes, but it is all of grace!” Of course it is all of grace! All of salvation is of grace. A life of sanctification is all of grace too. No one is denying that.
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