Question 86

Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his holy spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings,^a and that he may be praised by us;^b also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof;^c and that, by our godly conversation, others may be gained to Christ.^d

1. a. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Romans 6:13; 12:1–2; 1 Peter 2:5, 9–10

   1 Corinthians 6:19–20

   ^6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ^6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

   ^6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ^6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

   Romans 6:13

   ^6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

   ^6:13 Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

   Romans 12:1–2

   ^12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ^12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

   ^12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ^12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

   1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9–10

   ^2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ^2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: ^2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

   ^2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ^2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ^2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12

   Matthew 5:16

   ^5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

   ^5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

   1 Peter 2:12

   ^2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

   ^2:12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. 2 Peter 1:10; Galatians 5:6, 24

   2 Peter 1:10

   ^1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

   ^1:10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,

   Galatians 5:6; Galatians 5:24

   ^5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ^5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

   ^5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love. ^5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. 1 Peter 3:1–2; Matthew 5:16; Romans 14:19

   1 Peter 3:1–2

   ^3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; ^3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

   ^3:1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives ^3:2 when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.

   Matthew 5:16

   ^5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

   ^5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

   Romans 14:19

   ^14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

   ^14:19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible