Catechism Question 40
Since we receive all of these benefits by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
Yes, because those who have been redeemed by Christ and regenerated by the Spirit receive a new nature that desires to submit to God and to show gratitude to God by obeying Him and doing good works.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we begin the transition to the final section of the catechism – growth in grace and gratitude. From the earliest days of the Gospel, those who advocate works righteousness have claimed that proclaiming justification by Christ alone through faith alone will produce people who never do good works and whose lives are dominated by sin. Paul faced this constantly, as did the Reformers in the 16th and 17th centuries, and we will face it today.
However, this claim is utterly false. It is false because those who are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone have also been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, being given a new nature. This is distinct from justification and is not part of our legal standing before God, but it is true of everyone who is justified. Anyone who is not regenerated will not look to Christ in faith and be justified. And everyone who looks to Christ in faith has been regenerated and given a new nature that desires to obey God, is grateful for salvation, and longs to produce good works.
This question only gives the ground for good works – our new nature. In the final section of the catechism, we will go into all of the means (or ways) God will use to help us grow in our faith and become like Christ, and will discuss what Christlikeness and good works actually look like in the life of a believer.
Additional Questions:
Since we are justified apart from works, do Christians have to obey God?
Since we become God’s children by grace apart from works, does it matter if Christians try to obey God?
Will those who have been justified and adopted begin to live different lives?
Scripture References:
Romans 6:1–3, 11-14
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?… 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Titus 2:11–14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 3:4–8
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Romans 6:15–18
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8–10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Questions for Further Discussion:
If we are not justified and adopted because of our good works, then why not just continue to live under the domination of sin, doing whatever we want?
Is it possible for a Christian to live a life that is characterized by a total disregard for obeying God?
Why is it important that we keep the doctrines of justification (our being declared righteous by God apart from works) and the importance of Christians doing good works distinct from one another? If Christians are going to obey God because of their new nature, why do we stress the importance of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 64 and 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and question 34 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Gospel of God’s Grace” (June 18, 2006); “Good Citizens and Neighbors Through the Gospel” (July 2, 2006); “A Fruitful Knowledge In Christ” (March 4, 2012); “Our Present Call – Walking Dead To Sin” (August 5, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
Love Constraining To Obedience (William Cowper, 1772)
Chorus: To see the Law by Christ fulfilled,
To hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child
And duty into choice.
No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright
And what she has, she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.
(Repeat chorus)
How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.
(Repeat chorus)
Then to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do
Now if I feel its power within
I feel I hate it too.
(Repeat chorus)
Then all my servile works were done,
A righteousness to raise
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.
(Repeat chorus)