GOOD WORKS

(1)

A . Good works are only those that God has commanded in His Holy Word: Mi 6: 8; Ro. 12: 2; I 13:21; Col. 2: 3; 2 Tim. 3: 16,17.
B. And not, without the authority of this, men have invented by a blind fervor or the pretext that they have good intentions: Mt. 15: 9 Is 29:13;. 1 Peter 1:18; Ro. 10: 2; June 16:. 2; 1 Samuel 15: 21-23; 1 Cor 7:23; Gal. 5: 1; Col 2: 8.16 to 23.
(2)
A. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and living faith: Jas. 2:18, 22; Gal. 5: 6; 1 Tim. fifteen.
B. And by them believers express their gratitude: Psalm 116: 12-14; 1 Peter 2: 9, 12; Lk. 7: 36-50 with Matthew 26: 1-11.
C. Strengthen security: June 1 . 2: 3, 5; 3:18, 19; 2 Peter 1: 5-11.
D. edify their brethren. 2 Corinthians 9: 2; Mt. 5:16.
E. adorn the profession of the Gospel: Mt. 5:16; Tit. 2: 5, 9-12; 1 Tim. 6: 1; 1 Peter 2:12.
F. Tapan mouth of the adversaries: 1 Peter 2:12, 15; Tit. 2: 5; 1 Tim. 6: 1.
G . And glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus for this: Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:11; 1 Tim. 6: 1; 1 Peter 2:12; Mt. 5:16.
H. To that having their fruit unto holiness, have the end eternal life: Rom. 6:22; Mt. 7:13, 14.21 to 23.
(3)
A. The ability of believers to do good works is not themselves in any way, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And so they can have this capability, in addition to the virtues they have received, they need a real influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure: Ez. 36: 26,27; June 15:. 4-6; 2 Corinthians 3: 5; Phil. 2: 12,13; Eph. 2:10.
B. However, they should not become careless for it, as if they were not bound by any duty other than a special motion of the Spirit, but must be diligent in stirring up the grace of God in them: Ro. 8:14; June 3. 8; Phil. 2: 12,13; 2 Peter 1:10; I 6:12; 2 Tim. 1: 6; Jud. 20.21.
(4)
A. Those who achieve the highest possible obedience in this life are so far reaching supererogate, and do more of what God requires, they lack much of what of duty are required to do: R. 8:46; 6:36 2 Kr.;Psalm 130: 3; 143: 2; Pr . 20: 9; Ec 7:20.; Ro. 3: 9,23; 7:14 ff .; Gal. 5:17; June 1 . 1: 6-10; Lk. 17:10.
(5)
A. We can not, even by our best works, merit pardon of sin or eternal life in God's hand, because of the great disproportion between our work and the glory that is to come. Rom. 8:18.
B. And by the infinite distance between us and God, who can not benefit from these works, nor satisfy the debt of our former sins; even when we have done all we can, but we have not done our duty , and are unprofitable servants. Job 22: 3; 35: 7; Lk. 17:10; Ro. 4: 3; 11: 3.
C. And both are good as coming from the Spirit: Gal. 5:22, 23.
D. And as they are made ​​by us, they are impure and are mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that can not withstand the severity of the punishment of God: 1 Kings 8:46; 6:36 2 Kr.; Psalm 130: 3;143: 2; Pr . 20: 9; Ec 7:20.; Ro. 3: 9,23; 7: 14ss.Gá. 5:17; June 1 . 1: 6-10.
(6)
A. However, believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him: Ex. 28:38;Eph. 1: 6.7; 1 Peter 2: 5.
B. Not as if they were in this life wholly blameless and irreproachable in the eyes of God life: 1 Kings 8:46;6:36 2 Kr.; Psalm 130: 3; 143: 2; Pr . 20: 9; Ec 7:20.; Ro. 3: 9,23; 7; 14ff .; Gal. 5:17; June 1 . 1: 6-10.
C. but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere ,although it is accompanied by many weaknesses and imperfections: I 6:10; Mt. 25: 21,23.
(7)
A. Works done by unregenerate men, although in themselves be things which God commands, and of gooduse both to themselves and others: 1 Kings 21: 27-29; 2 Kings 10: 30,31; Ro. 2:14; Phil. 1: 15-18.
B. However, not come from a heart purified by faith: Gn. 4: 5 with Hebrews 11: 4-6; 1 Tim. fifteen; Ro.14:23; Gal. 5: 6.
C. And not be done in a right manner according to the Word: 1 Corinthians 13: 3; Is. 1:12.
D. nor to a right end (glory of God): Mt. 6: 2, 5, 6; 1 Cor 10:31.
E. are therefore sinful, and can not please God or make someone worthy to receive grace from God: Rom.9:16; Tit. 1:15; 3: 5.
F. And despite this, the neglect of good works is more sinful and displeasing to God: 1 Kings 21: 27-29; 2 Kings 10: 30,31; Psalm 14: 4; 36: 3.
SANCTIFICATION AND GOOD WORKS
Sanctification leads naturally to a life of good works. These can be called the fruits of sanctification. The such works are not perfect themselves or come from a perfect sanctification, but spring from the principle of love and faith in God that exists in the soul, according to a conscious conformity with the will of God as has been revealed, Deut. 6: 2; Matthew 7: 17 and 18; 12:33, 35 and Heb. 11: 6, and are made 1st Sam. 15: 22; Santo 2: 8, with the ultimate goal the glory of God, 1 Cor ... 10:31; Col. 3:17, 23. Only those who are regenerated by the Spirit of God can perform such good works. This does not mean, however, that the unregenerate can not do good in any sense of the word.
See 2 Kings 10:29, 30; 12: 2; 14: 3; Luke 6:33 and Rom. 2:14. Under the common grace of God the unregenerate can perform works that are externally accordance with the law and serve their laudable purposes; but these works are always fundamentally flawed because they are separated from the spiritual root of love for God and do not mean an effective internal obedience to divine law nor have as their main purpose the glory of God. In opposition to the Roman Catholic we must hold that good works are not meritorious believer, Luke 17: 9-10; Ephesians 2: 8-10 and Titus 3: 5; even though God promises to reward you with abundant and generous rewards, 1 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 11:26.
In opposition to the anti-nominianos, we must emphasize the need for good works, Colossians 1:10; 2. Timothy 2:21; Titus 2:14 and Hebrews 10:24.

THE WORKS

Many people assume that if they try to lead a good life, have done all that is necessary to enter heaven.They place their trust to meet the demands of God's justice on the good works they have done.
It is a futile hope. The law of God requires perfection. As we are not perfect, lack of good necessary to enter heaven. That is why it is impossible to achieve good living a life of good. The only way been attained good is trusting in the righteousness of Christ. Its merit is perfect and is available to us by faith.
Believe that we are justified by our good works regardless of faith is to accept the heresy of legalism.
Believe that we are justified by a kind of faith that produces no works is to accept the heresy of antinomianism.
The relationship between faith and good works implies that they should be distinct but not separate.Although our good works do not add any merit to our faith before God, and while the sole condition for our justification is our faith in Christ; if our profession of faith is not followed by good works, this is a clear indication that we do not possess justifying faith.
The formula of the Reformation is that "we are justified by faith alone, but not by faith alone." True justification always results in the sanctification process. If no justification, sanctification inevitably happen.If the justification is not succeeded by sanctification, is certainly justification was never really present. This does not mean that justification depends or rests in sanctification. The justification depends on the true faith, which in turn will inevitably lead to works of obedience.
When James says that faith without works is dead, is saying that "faith" can not justify anyone because it is not a living faith. Living faith produces good works, but these good works are not the basis for our justification. Only the merit achieved by Jesus Christ can justify the sinner.
This is a very serious mistake, a modern form of the heresy of antinomianism, to suggest that a person can be justified by accepting Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. True faith accepts Christ as Savior and Lord.Depend only on Christ for salvation is to recognize the most complete dependence on our person in Him and repent of our sins. Repent of sins is to submit to the authority of Christ. Denying his lordship is to seek justification with an unrepentant faith, which does not represent any faith.
Although our good works do not make us worthy of salvation, they are the basis on which God promises us distribute rewards in heaven. Our entrance into the kingdom of God is by faith alone. Our reward in the kingdom will be according to our good works, representing a case of free coronation of God on their own gifts, as noted by Augustine.
SUMMARY
1. No one can be justified by good works. We can only be justified by faith in Christ.
2. Faith and good works must be distinguished but never separated. True faith will always produce works of obedience.
3. Justification is by faith alone, but not by faith alone.
4. The faith that is dead can not justify.
5. Faith in Christ means trusting in Him as the Savior and submit to Him as Lord.
6. We will be rewarded in heaven by our good works, but this reward is by grace. 
BIBLICAL PASSAGES FOR REFLECTION

 Romans 3: 9-4: 8, James 2: 18-24, 1 John 2: 3-6, Philippians 2: 12-13, 2 Peter 1: 5-11, 1 John 4: 7-11.