In Lord’s Day 23 we confess that we are justified by faith in Christ alone. In Lord’s Day 24 of our confession, we confess that it is not through the good we do. Can our good works save us? We confess in Lord’s Day 24: Why can’t the good we do make us right with God, or at least help make us right with Him? Because the righteousness which can pass God’s scrutiny must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law. Even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin.

In Isaiah 64:6 we read: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

The most beautiful clothes are spoiled when it is dirty, and no one will wear dirty clothes.

In the same way, our best works are stained and dirty with sin. God cannot look at us in our sinful state, and we are imperfect to fulfil the law. We need a Redeemer! We need Jesus! Therefore, we can confess if we keep this verses in mind: How can you say that the good we do does not earn anything when God promises to reward in this life and the next?

A. This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace.

This grace was earned through Jesus’ offering on the cross, and he who believes in Christ receives a new life to be obedient to God. God saved us, not because of the good we do, but through His grace alone. Grace means to show mercy to someone. To give mercy to someone who does not deserve anything. This is me! I cannot work for it. God must give it to us. Our salvation does not lie with us and our good works, but with God and what God has done this for us through Jesus Christ.

When I do good works, it is not me, but the Spirit of God which works the grace and love of Jesus in my heart. We are doing good works out of grace alone.