XXI. Of Good Works, or the Piety of True Believers.

By good works, for which the believers in Christ Jesus are created that they should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10), those works must not be meant which are only outward (Luke 11:39) and have simply the appearance of good like the works of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:28): nor those that are performed from natural or civil motives (Matthew 5:44-47; Luke 6:32) which, though good and becoming in themselves, are not distinctly characteristic of true Christianity; and not those which spring out of a servile or legal spirit (John 15:15; Galatians 4:7; Romans 9:31, 32; 10:1-4) more out of fear and compulsion (Romans 8:15; I John 4:18) than out of love (Galatians 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:5); for the disciple of Christ is called unto a better righteousness than is found in all these. Matthew 5:20.

Therefore we hold those only to be good works which are well pleasing to God in Christ (1 Peter 2:5; Romans 12:1, 2; Hebrews 12:28), being wrought in God (John 3:21), proceeding out of faith (Hebrews 11:6) and love (1 John 4:8) and true thankfulness (1 John 4:19) out of a changed and renewed mind (Ephesians 5:8-10.; Romans 12:2), a childlike fear (Proverbs 14:27), in short out of a fellowship with Christ (John 15:5) in and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-24; Ephesians 5:9-11.

In our relation to God this. life requires an humble walking with Him (Micah 6:8) and before His face (Genesis 17:1) in heart-felt love (Matthew 22:37-40; Ephesians 5:1, 2), gratitude (Colossians 1:12), praise (1 Corinthians 6:20), child-like fear (1 Peter 1:17), obedience (Ephesians 6:6), etc.

In relation to our fellowmen, good works consist in a practical and unwearying exercise of righteousness (Titus 2:12; 1 John 3:18), forbearance (Philippians 4:5; Titus 3:2; James 3:17), gentleness (1 Peter 3:8; 2 Timothy 2:24; Philippians 2:3, 4), readiness to serve (Galatians 5:3), benevolence (1 Timothy 6:17, 18; Hebrews 3:16), etc., in the endeavor to promote the best interests of our neighbors both in soul and body (Leviticus 19:17) and this not only of the brethren (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 3:16) but of all (2 Peter 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:12) yea even of our enemies. Romans 12:20.

In reference to one's self there is required a holy watchfulness and warfare (Luke 12:1-5; 17:3; 21:34; Ephesians 6:10-18; Hebrews 12:1-4, 12-17; 2 Peter 3:17) against all manner of intemperance (Titus 2:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:9, 10) and worldly lusts (2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:16), against all unclean affections and lusts of the flesh (Romans 13:14; 1 Peter 2:12), against pride (Romans 11:20; Psalms 19:13) and all its miserable issues (James 4:1-6; Matthew 15:19) such as hatred, envy, and anger; or thoughtless, frivolous, and harsh words (Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 12:36; 5:37; James 5:11, 12), corrupt speech (Ephesians 4:29) and the like. Thus the deeds of the body of sin (Romans 8:13; 7:23, 24) with all its members upon the earth, must be mortified (Colossians 3:5) and the opposite virtues be put on (Colossians 3:12-14) in order that we may live unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:24), increase in holiness (Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 22:11) unto perfection in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

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