Fridays with the Heidelberg

Lord's Day 32

86. Q. WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED FROM OUR MISERY BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE THROUGH CHRIST AND NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE EARNED IT: WHY THEN MUST WE STILL DO GOOD?

A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by His blood. But we do good because Christ by His Spirit is also renewing us to be like Himself, so that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all He has done for us, and so that He may be praised through us. And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living out neighbors may be won over to Christ.

87. Q. CAN THOSE BE SAVED WHO DO NOT TURN TO GOD FROM THEIR UNGRATEFUL AND IMPENITENT 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 is going to inherit the kingdom of God.


Working backwards this week, question 87 asks if salvation is possible without repentance. "By no means."

Q. 86 asks, if we are saved by grace alone, if we cannot do anything in ourselves to earn favor with God, why be good? Five reasons;

1) Indwelling of the Spirit - Every genuine believer is indwellt with the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who opened our eyes to salvation (regeneration) is "renewing us to be like Himself" (sanctification).

2) Gratitude - Those who have been reconciled to God will show by their lifestyles "that we are thankful to God for all that He has done for us."

3) For God's glory - Eph. 2:10 tells us as christians that we are created for good works. Our good works bring glory to God.

4) Assurance of salvation - Our good works, "fruit", give testimony to the work of salvation that has taken place in our lives.

5) For the world - As christians, our lifestyles out to point others to Christ. 1 Pet. 2:12 says, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."