This is the second of two articles considering how believers should think of themselves before God. Over the years, I have noticed a kind of spiritual self-loathing among professing Christians that seems to be out of step with the Bible. This self-deprecation is likely intended to make much of Christ, but I fear it doesn’t make as much of Him as one might think.
Last time, we addressed the question, “should believers consider themselves wretched sinners?” If those who sin are sinners, surely believers qualify. The New Testament authors certainly acknowledge our ongoing fight against sin. However, they do not use the term “sinner” as a normal label for believers. Rather they emphasize our new identity in Christ as saints.
Today, we’ll consider the related question, “are all our righteous deeds as fithly rags before God?” As believers do the very good works they are commanded to do in the New Testament does God hold His nose, as it were, choking back a divine dry heave? There are numerous reasons to say, no.
The context of this allusion (from Isaiah 64:6) does not suggest that the good works of believers displease God. In fact, it likely doesn’t apply to believers at all. In the longer section of Isaiah 63:15-64:12, there is a prayer for mercy on behalf of those in exile, still separated from God. A sampling of statements indicate the unregenerate hearts of the people:
Isaiah 63:17a O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?
Isaiah 64:5b Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?
Isaiah 64:7 There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.
In this context, we read in 64:6, We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. (In the KJV, “polluted garment” is rendered “filthy rags.”) The statement is reminscent of Isaiah 1:10-17, where God laments and finds intolerable the people’s outward acts of worship. The two passages are very similar in that God can’t stand outward shows of “righteous” acts that come from idolatrous hearts. The context suggests that it is the “righteous deeds” of unregenerate sinners are in view, not those of redeemed believers. Therefore, we ought not use such a passage when we talk about the transformed lives of those in Christ.
Second, the New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our works do not reconcile us to God. This is familiar refrain of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5; Rom. 3:20, 28). It is by Christ’s righteousness alone that we are justified (2 Pet 1:1).
However, this is not to say that God hates good works. Far from it. For…
Third, we are saved unto good works. Immediately after Paul’s declaration that we are saved by grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8-9, he writes this: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (2:10). Jesus exhorted in the Sermon on the Mount, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). Indeed, the very structure of some of Paul’s letters suggests this, since he often explains gospel realities only then to show how the gospel should be reflected in one’s conduct. The plethora of New Testament commands strongly imply that we are saved that we might walk in good works.
In fact, so strong is the expectation that a believer will be fruitful that a lack of good works should lead to doubt that a person is even saved (Gal 5:16-26; Matt 3:8; 7:16-20; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5-8; Jas 2:14-26).
Fourth, these good works do please God. Consider a sampling of NT texts:
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Heb 13:16, see also Phil 4:18).
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more” (1 Thess 4:1).
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Col 3:20).
“And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:22).
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4).
I ask, how could these good works not please God? After all, God set out to save us, not simply to accumulate a collection of forgiven people, but “to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Further, these good works reflect His own character, exemplified for us in Jesus (Rom 8:29).
We simply must be careful not to understand “please God” to mean “earn salvation.” Believers are already saved by in Christ. In fact, our desire and ability to do good works reflect the reality of that salvation, which is why…
Fifth, in the NT our good works are frequently connected with and made dependent on the work of Christ in us. Ephesians 2:10 already demonstrated this. We were created in Christ for good works which He prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. The NT has more to say:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:12–13).
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6).
More could be cited, but these are sufficient to see that the good works done by believers are done by faith in Christ. These works are a reflection of Christ’s power and work in and through us.
Sixth, all of this redounds to the glory of God. Every bit of God’s master plan to take hateful, rebel sinners, to redeem them through the atoning work of Christ, and to transform them into loving, obedient saints…all of it displays his power and wisdom (Eph 3:10). Therefore, we should be eager to affirm that our salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Eph 2:8-9). Further, we should be zealous for good works, reflecting His character and power (Titus 2:11-14).
There should be no pride in any of this. Conversely, there should be no spiritualized self-loathing that inadvertently minimizes the pleasure and glory that our obedience brings to God. We were saved to do good. He is pleased and glorified by it. It is evidence of Christ at work in us. Let us rejoice, and let our light shine before men that others may see and give glory to our Father in heaven!
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