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 that Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image (1 Cor. 1;30); that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings (Titus 2;14), and that he may be praised by us (Matt. 5;16); also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof (Matt. 7;17); and that by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ (1 Pet. 2;12).

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

1 Corinthians 1:30
30It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Titus 2:14
14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

1 Corinthians 6:20
20you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Romans 12:1
1Therefore 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.

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

John 15:8
8This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

1 Peter 2:9
9But 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.

1 Peter 2:12
12Conduct 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.

Deuteronomy 32:6
6Is this how you repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?

Matthew 7:17
17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

James 2:18
18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

1 John 2:3
3By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.

1 John 2:4
4If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 Peter 3:1
1Wives, 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

1 Peter 3:2
2when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.

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

Source and edition

Heidelberg Catechism. RCA English, E. R. Good & Bro., Tiffin, 1879. RCA English, E. R. Good & Bro., Tiffin, 1879

Public Domain (historic text); CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikisource transcription). Source transcription.

Transcription licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0.

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