The Reverend Harold A. Linn, Pastor

Theses on Good Works

I. We are not saved because we do good works. We are saved because of Christ's death for us which is received through faith.

The Scriptural Proof:

Isaiah 53:4-6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:20-28; Galatians 2:16, 21; Matthew 5:48; Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:1-5; James 2:10; Romans 10:1-13; Titus 3:4-7; John 3:16, 36; John 6:40; John 1:29; Acts 16:30-31.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

We begin by teaching that our works cannot reconcile us with God or obtain grace for us, for this happens only through faith, that is, when we believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who alone is the mediator who reconciles the Father. Whoever imagines that he can accomplish this by his works, or that he can merit grace, despises Christ and seeks his own way to God, contrary to the Gospel . . .Although this teaching is held in great contempt among untried people, yet it is a matter of experience that weak and terrified consciences find it most comforting and salutary. The conscience cannot come to rest and peace through works, but only through faith, that is, when it is assured and knows that for Christ's sake it has a gracious God, as Paul says in Rom. 5:1, "Since we are justified by faith we have peace with God" (Augsburg Confession XX:9,15).

Therefore, while and as long as we have to do with this article of justification, we reject and condemn works, since the very nature of this article cannot admit any treatment or discussion

of works (Formula, SD, III:29).

II. We do good works because we are already saved -- We do not do good works because they will save us (Christ has already done that!)

The Scriptural Proof:

Ephesians 2:8-10 (note v. 10); Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; Galatians 2:20-21; John 15:5; Romans 3:31; 1 John 4:19.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

Our teachers have been falsely accused of forbidding good works. Their writings on the Ten Commandments, and other writings as well, show that they have given good and profitable accounts and instructions concerning true Christian estates and works (Augsburg Confession; XX:1).

Hence faith alone is the mother and source of the truly good and God-pleasing works that God will reward both in this and in the next world. For this reason St. Paul calls them fruits of faith or of the Spirit.

III. The Christian who does no good works is no Christian at all. We were saved in order to do good works (but we are not saved by our works).

The Scriptural Proof:

James 2:14-26; John 15:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

For as Luther writes in his Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans . . .Oh, faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, so that it is impossible for it not to be constantly doing what is good. Likewise, faith does not ask if good works are to be done, but before one can ask, faith has already done them and is constantly active. Whoever does not perform such good works is a faithless man, blindly tapping around in search of faith and good works without knowing what either faith or good works are . . .It is therefore as impossible to separate works from faith as it is to separate heat and light from fire (Formula of Concord; IV:10-12).

{We} criticize and reject a complacent Epicurean delusion, since many people dream up for themselves a dead faith or superstition, without repentance and without good works, as if there could simultaneously be in a single heart both a right faith and a wicked intention to continue and abide in sin, which is impossible. Or as if a person could have and retain true faith, righteousness, and salvation even though he still is and continue s to be a barren, unfruitful tree since no good fruits appear" (Formula; SD; IV:15).

IV. Only those are God-pleasing works, which God Himself has prescribed.

The Scriptural Proof:

Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount is a sermon on good works which proceed from the Ten Commandments); Matthew 23:23-24; Romans 13:8-10; Colossians 3:23- 24; Matthew 15:1-9.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

only those are truly good works which God himself prescribes and commands in His Word, and not those that an individual may devise according to his own opinion or that are based on human traditions (Formula of Concord; SD; IV:7).

Here, then, we have the Ten Commandments, a summary of the divine teaching on what we are to do to make our whole life pleasing to God. They are the true fountain from which all good works must spring, the true channel through which all good works must flow. Apart from these Ten Commandments no deed, no conduct can be good or pleasing to God, no matter how great or precious it may be in the eyes of the world. (Large Catechism; Ten Commandments: 311,313- 314).

V. Though the Law (Ten Commandments) shows us which works are pleasing to God, it cannot motivate us; only the Gospel can empower us to do good works.

The Scriptural Proof:

Romans 3:20, 31; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:19; John 15:3-5; Galatians 2:20.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

Therefore we cannot correctly keep the law unless by faith we have received the Holy Spirit. Paul says that faith does not overthrow but upholds the law (Rom. 3:31) because the law can be kept only when the Holy Spirit is given . . .Our opponents slanderously claim that we do not require good works, whereas we not only require them but show how they can be done. The results show that hypocrites who try to keep the law by their own strength cannot achieve what they set out to do. For human nature is far too weak to be able by its own strength to resist the devil, who holds enthralled all who have not been freed by faith. Nothing less than Christ's power is needed for our conflict with the devil (Apology; IV:132, 136).

VI. Although the Christian participates in his good works, ultimately it is God's grace that does them through him.

The Scriptural Proof:

Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:9-10.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

From this it follows that as soon as the Holy Spirit has initiated his work of regeneration and renewal in us through the Word and the holy sacraments, it is certain that we can and must cooperate by the power of the Holy Spirit, even though we still do so in great weakness. Such cooperation does not proceed from our carnal and natural powers, but from the new powers and gifts which the Holy Spirit has begun in us in conversion, as St. Paul expressly and earnestly reminds us...This is to be understood in no other way than that the converted man does good, as much and as long as God rules him through his Holy Spirit, guides and leads him, but if God should withdraw his gracious hand man could not remain in obedience to God for one moment (Formula of Concord; SD; II:65-66).

VII. God rejects the good works of the non-Christian as wicked; even the works of the Christian are tainted with sin, but they are accepted for Christ's sake, as we ourselves are.

The Scriptural Proof:

Works of Non-Christians: Matthew 12:33-35; Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:1; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; Romans 8:7-8. Works of Christians: Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 22:36-40.

Proof from the Lutheran Confessions:

And Rom. 8:7-8, `the mind that is set on the flesh in hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.' These words are so clear that they do not need an acute understanding but only attentive listening . . .If the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, then the flesh sins even when it performs outward civil works. If it cannot submit to God's law, it is certainly sinning even when it produces deeds that are excellent and praiseworthy in human eyes (Apology; IV:32-33).

Neither is there a controversy among us as to how and why the good works of believers are pleasing and acceptable to God, even though they are still impure and imperfect in this flesh of ours. We agree that this is for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ through faith, because the person is acceptable to God (Formula of Concord; SD; IV:8).