The REAL Reason
God Created Believers 

For Good Works or Filthy Rags?

1

Created for Good Works

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Every Christian has been born again, created in Christ Jesus with a purpose. The Apostle Paul makes that purpose clear: Christians “were created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Paul reiterates this multiple times in his letters throughout the New Testament. When writing to Timothy about the inspiration of the Scriptures, one of the stated purposes of learning from the Scriptures is “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to charge those that are rich in this world “That they are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). Good works are to be prominent in the life of every believer.

Paul references “good works” six times in his letter to Titus. He clearly explains the purpose of Christ's sacrifice in Titus 2:14. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” In Titus 3:8, Paul further shows the importance of good works. “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” 

This verse offers some very serious implications. First, Paul uses the phrase, “The saying is trustworthy.” This phrase is used only five times in the entire New Testament. Consider Paul’s use of these exact words in 1 Timothy 1:15. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” In other words, what Paul says is not trivial but of the highest importance.

Second, Paul further  stresses the importance of his teaching on good works  by saying, “and I want you to insist on these things.” Commentator Albert Barnes explains this phrase: "Make them the constant subject of your preaching.”[1] Paul instructs Titus that good works should be regularly and confidently preached to all believers. The Pulpit Commentary says, “Never be weary of dwelling on these important truths, and asserting them with authority.”[2] Paul knew this teaching could easily be overlooked, so he stressed its importance.

Third, Paul wants Christians to devote themselves to good works with great urgency. Good works should be of the highest priority to a believer. To neglect good works is to ignore the very purpose for which we were created in Christ Jesus. Every Christian should be devoted to good works. To be devoted means to give careful thought. How often do you consider the importance of good works in your life?

Fourth, Paul says good works are “excellent and profitable for people.” It is how Jesus taught that men would glorify God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Jesus knew that people would observe his followers. He wanted those who profess faith in him to be filled with good works so that others may observe these works and glorify God.

Paul instructs the young men to “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works” (Titus 2:7). He also instructs Titus to teach believers “to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). Even in Paul’s final words to Titus he writes, “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14). Just as the Christian is to be known for his good works, the hypocrites will be known for their lack of good works. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work” (Titus 1:16). 

One of Paul’s requests when praying for the Colossian saints is that their lives be filled with the fruit of good works. He prays that they would “…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). Paul prays a similar prayer for the Ephesian saints. He prays they would be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:10). 

Paul’s instruction regarding good works is also applied to women. In            1 Timothy 2:9-10, he instructs “…that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” Widows are to be cared for and supported by the church if they meet specific requirements. “Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work” (1 Timothy 5:9-10). According to Paul, even raising children in the ways of the Lord is considered to be a good work by God.

In the book of Acts, Tabitha is an example of the kind of godly life women are to live. “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity” (Acts 9:36). The account of the woman who poured oil on Jesus’ head is recorded in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. In both Gospels, the woman is said to have done a good work. In defending the woman to her accusers, Jesus gives her this commendation. “But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me” (Mark 14:6). Matthew’s account records the following words of Jesus. But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me” (Matthew 26:10). 

As you can see, Paul’s emphasis on good works is evident in his writings. He instructs the saints at Rome regarding their view of those in authority. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval” (Romans 13:3). One final passage concerning good works found in Paul’s writings is in reference to being an overseer or elder in the church. Not only is desiring this role called a good work, but the elder is to be known for his good behavior. “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (overseer), he desires a good work. A bishop (overseer) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach…” (1 Timothy 3:1-2 NKJV). 

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul again shows God’s desire for His people. When writing about the importance of giving to those in need, Paul teaches that giving is a good work that God accomplishes in his saints. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). Again, in his letter to Timothy, Paul gives this instruction regarding how a Christian is to be useful to the Lord. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). 

Peter also instructs his hearers about the absolute importance of good works. “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Just as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, Peter understood the importance of having good works that others would observe and lead them to glorify God. As we have seen clearly, Paul knew the value of living a life filled with good works. In his letter to Timothy, he contrasts a sinful life with a life of good works. “The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.  Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. (1 Timothy 5:24-25). 

The writer of Hebrews also understood the importance of good works. In his closing statement to his readers, he stresses that God desires His followers to be complete in every good work. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21). God’s purpose for every believer is to make them “complete in every good work.” Why? Because good works are “well pleasing in His sight.” For this reason, the writer of Hebrews exhorts his hearers not only to do good works but also to stir others up to do the same. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

Jesus himself was our example in performing good works. The Gospels testify to the multitude of good works Jesus performed during his earthly life. Jesus refers to his own good works when addressing those about to stone him. “Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me” (John 10:32). Jesus is the perfect example of all that Scripture teaches about the importance of good works. He was a model of good works. He was devoted to good works. He was ready to perform every good work. He was rich in good works. He was zealous for good works. He was full of good works. He had a reputation for good works. In this regard, every believer should strive to follow the pattern of good works that Jesus himself performed. In so doing, God is glorified. As we have already seen, this is the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:16. “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.” 

Reader, do you grasp the absolute importance of good works in the life of every Christian? Do you see that the New Testament is filled with instructions about why good works are so crucial? Is this the importance you place on good works in your life? If you want to be more like Jesus, follow his example of living a life of good works. After all, if you are a Christian, you were created in Christ Jesus for good works! God even prepared them beforehand that you should walk in them.

2

Types of Works in the Bible

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24

To properly understand good works, it is essential to carefully examine the Scriptures to learn the various types of works described. Far too often, all works are viewed the same, regardless of the specific terms used to describe them. Failure to distinguish between the various types of works in the Bible has led to much error. Many have failed to understand how James can say, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (James 2:21), while Paul said that “if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God” (Romans 4:2). The problem is easily solved when we understand that Paul was talking about works of the law while James was talking about good works.

A review of the New Testament to understand the different types of works described reveals the following. We learn that there are good works, works of Christ, wonderful works, mighty works, greater works, works of God, works of Abraham, evil works, works of my Father, works of their own hands, works meet for repentance, works of the law, works of darkness, works of the flesh, wicked works, works of righteousness, dead works, works of the devil, and first works. As you can see, each type of work is described differently. It would be incorrect to categorize every work as equal.

For this study, we are primarily focusing on good works. However, we must also understand some other types of work described. The phrase ‘works of the law’ is used six times in Galatians and once in Romans. Works of the law refer to the efforts of the Jews to keep God’s law as a means to obtain God’s favor or earn his acceptance. Sinners often think their efforts, works, or service to the Lord can earn them a right standing or favor with God. These works are Biblically called “works of the law” or “works.” This is the type of work Isaiah had in mind when he wrote, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

Unbelievers think God is pleased when they do various works (giving to those in need, caring for widows, being baptized, or attending church meetings), thinking these works will help them reach heaven. They consider these works “good works” and think that God is pleased with them for doing them. They fail to recognize that although these works may align with the Scriptures, they are never called good works when performed by unconverted people. This is because when an unbeliever does one of these works, it is done from a wicked heart, apart from faith, and with a wrong motive. That is why Paul describes the condition of every unconverted man with these words in Romans 3:12, “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” The Scripture is clear: no unbeliever has ever done a “good work” in the sight of God. Solomon confirms this in the book of Proverbs. “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent” (Proverbs 21:27). 

This is why most unconverted people reject the Gospel. Their sinful heart, along with their pride, refuses to accept that there is nothing they can do to please God. The Bible never teaches that a work done by an unbeliever is ever called good. The sinner's only hope is to cast himself fully on Christ and believe that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). 

Paul further explains to Titus the works unbelievers do, thinking they can earn God’s favor. He calls those works “works of righteousness which we have done” and explains that they are not the reason God accepts the believer. “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).

These works “done by us in righteousness” before conversion, works that men hope will earn God’s favor, are the same type of works Isaiah described in Isaiah 64:6, “…all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Although Isaiah and Paul refer to them as righteousness, both authors attribute them to men rather than to God. “Works done by us in righteousness” and “all our righteousnesses” are not the same as the good works that the Spirit of God accomplishes in the believer's life. To confuse these two entirely different types of works is to miss the main point about good works. Our righteousness describes the works of the unbeliever that flow from an evil, wicked heart. Good works describe the works that flow from a new, pure heart and are works that “…God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

As you can see, correctly interpreting Scripture is essential if we are to help people lead lives of holiness that glorify God.

3

The Nature of Good Works

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 

When God looked at the various things that he created in Genesis 1, we read six times that He saw “that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). We are told that when “God saw everything that he had made…it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). We would be appalled if someone were to come along and, upon seeing God’s creation, declare that it was anything but very good. After all, who would dare to contradict God’s Word and declare something He proclaims to be good to be anything less than good?

Sadly, many men do this with regard to the good works God has created in the lives of believers. In the first chapter, we considered every reference to good works mentioned in the New Testament. Not one of those verses about good works gave any indication that they were less than good. No verses talked about how good works are tainted with sin. No verses mentioned that good works are corrupt, imperfect, or defective. No verses mentioned that they were sinful or that they missed the mark of total perfection. Not even one verse referred to them as defiled or weak.

Those who describe good works in the above terms do so because they fail to understand that good works are the creation of God in the lives of believers. They are called "good works" because God himself prepared them for His children, and He calls them good. As we learned in Hebrews, “the God of peace” will “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

When a Christian does a good work, it is done by the power of the Holy Spirit, proceeding from a pure heart of faith, as though Christ were living through the Christian. Paul teaches this plainly from the testimony of his own life. Christ, living in him and through Him, enables him to live the life he lives. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). If Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, then Christ is also the Author and Finisher of our life and works. He deserves all the credit for all the good we do because our lives and the good works we perform are simply Christ living through us.

Good works are God's work in the believer. They are good because God calls them good. They are good because they are the fruit of the Spirit at work in the Christian. They are good because they flow from the pure heart of the believer. They are good because they result from faith in Christ. They are good because they are done by a new man created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of doing good works. Therefore, good works are good! Not because they somehow merit favor from God. Not because they are done by perfect people. Not because man calls them good. But because they are God’s works and because God calls them good. To disagree with God concerning the nature of the works He performs through the believer is a serious error!

Jesus confirms this truth with his teaching concerning trees and their fruit. Carefully consider Jesus’ words from Luke 6:43-45.

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 

Jesus leaves no doubt regarding the nature of the believer’s good works. He calls believers good. He calls the believer’s heart good. And he calls the believer’s fruit good. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good…” (Luke 6:45). Should any object by saying that the believer’s heart is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), the author would encourage them to learn what the Scriptures teach regarding the New Covenant and the new heart. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Jeremiah’s description of the deceitful, wicked heart is true of every unregenerate, unbelieving, unconverted man. But it is not true regarding the born-again, blood-bought Christian.

Should there be any confusion here, simply read the words of Jesus in Luke’s gospel. Jesus’ teaching on the parable of the sower regarding the believer’s heart is irrefutable. “As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). Notice that Jesus calls the heart good and honest in this verse. This is consistent with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

The entire Bible confirms this teaching regarding the good and pure heart of believers. David asks two questions in Psalm 24:3. “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?” He answers in Psalm 24:4. “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” Paul speaks of the pure heart of the believer in each of his letters to Timothy.

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).” “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Peter also writes concerning the pure heart of the believer with the following instruction. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:22-23). 

Jesus further addresses the reality that evil men do evil works, and good men do good works. When speaking of the coming day of judgment, Jesus says, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). If believers cannot do good, then none would come forth to the resurrection of life.

Upon hearing Jesus’ words, do not think Jesus is teaching a works salvation. He is not! Rather, Jesus makes it plain that every true child of God will live a life of doing good, while every unbeliever will live a life of doing evil. As mentioned earlier, no unbeliever can do a good work in the eyes of God apart from being born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To summarize, good works are, by their very nature, good because they are God’s works for which believers were created in Christ Jesus. How dare we call the good works of God, done from a pure heart,  accomplished by the Spirit of God in the life of the true child of God, anything less than good! To do so would be to contradict the Word of God and diminish the work of God in his children. Instead, let us agree with God that what He calls good works are truly good works.

4

Misunderstandings of Good Works

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Sadly, even among those who profess to know their Bible well and promote themselves as teachers of God’s Word, there is much misunderstanding regarding the nature of good works. Because the error is so widespread, numerous examples could be given. Pointing out these errors does not imply that everything these men teach is false, but at least in this area, they teach contrary to God’s Word. Often, it is done in ignorance because these men repeat what they have been taught on the subject without having studied the Word themselves. Sadly, these men place men's traditions above the Scriptures regarding the Biblical nature and importance of good works. I encourage every believer to “hold fast the form of sound words…” (2 Timothy 1:13). It is far better to admit to false teaching than to continue to spread false teaching.

Three Examples

Jerry Bridges's book Transforming Grace provides a clear example of the grave misunderstanding of good works. Bridges takes the common view among those who hold tightly to the title of being “Reformed.” When writing about good works, he describes them in this way. “Even the good works we bring to God are in themselves defective, both in motive and performance.”[3] Again, he writes, “We can never perfectly perform those good works. The best we can do falls short of what God requires, but the truth is, we never actually do the best we can, let alone what would meet God’s perfect standard.”[4] While these statements contradict what the Bible says regarding the nature of the believer’s good works, they are only a glimpse into Bridges's more significant misunderstanding of good works. This misunderstanding has led many believers to reject the truth of God’s Word in this area.

In Chapter 1, Bridges makes the following statement. “Grace stands in direct opposition to any supposed worthiness on our part. To say it another way: Grace and works are mutually exclusive.”[5] Bridges correctly points out, "Our relationship with God is based on either works or grace. There is never a works-plus-grace relationship with Him.”[6] When it comes to meriting salvation by our works, Bridges is correct; it is impossible. The Apostle Paul clearly teaches this same truth in Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

However, Bridges' severe error is clearly seen in the following statement in Chapter 2. “Let me repeat something I said in chapter 1. Grace and good works (that is, works done to earn favor with God) are mutually exclusive.”[7] His statement contains two glaring and serious errors. First, he added the word “good” to this statement in chapter 2. Compare the statements Bridges makes in both chapters, which he claims are the same.

Grace and works are mutually exclusive. p. 22

Grace and good works are mutually exclusive. p. 33

By equating the works he refers to in chapter 1 that an unbeliever does to earn God’s favor with good works done by a believer in chapter 2, Bridges demonstrates his misunderstanding of the Biblical teaching on good works. A. W. Pink warned of such error in his own booklet on good works. He writes, “In Ephesians 2:8-10, God has joined two most vital and blessed things together which ought never to be separated in our hearts and minds, yet they are most frequently parted in the modern pulpit.”[8] Pink was referring to grace and good works, and that they should never be separated. This is exactly what Bridges does when he teaches that “Grace and good works are mutually exclusive.” God forbid!

The phrase “mutually exclusive” is defined as follows: “If two things are mutually exclusive, they cannot exist or happen together at the same time.”[9]  Another dictionary defines mutually exclusive as “being related such that each excludes or precludes the other; incompatible.”[10] For example, heads and tails are mutually exclusive. You could never flip a coin and be told it landed on both heads and tails. For Bridges to teach that grace and good works are mutually exclusive is to reject the basic teaching of the entire book of James. James speaks in no uncertain terms that a faith that does not have works is dead, being alone. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). While those who might defend Bridges would point to other statements that he makes that contradict his own statement above, nevertheless, the statement above is false and should be acknowledged as such. False teachings of men lead people to deemphasize the absolute importance of good works and thereby not devote themselves to good works.

Pink continues his teaching about the necessity of good works in the following statements. He grasps the importance of good works in the Word of God and desires that every Christian devote themselves to good works.

It is at this point that we may discern the precise place which good works have in connection with salvation. They do not merit it, yet they are inseparable from it. They do not procure a title to heaven, yet they are among the means which God has appointed for His people’s getting there. In no sense are good works the procuring cause of eternal life, but they are part of the means (as are the Spirit’s work within us and repentance, faith, and obedience by us) conducing [beneficial] to it.[11]

Pink fearlessly stresses the necessity of good works and the danger of wrong teaching on the point, even at the risk of being called a heretic. He quotes Alexander Carson, a 17th-century Baptist pastor, to reinforce his point about the necessity of good works.

Any fear that the doctrine of grace will suffer from the most strenuous inculcation (repeated admonitions) of good works on a spiritual foundation, betrays an inadequate and greatly defective acquaintance with Divine truth, and any tampering with the Scriptures in order to silence their testimony in favour of the fruits of righteousness, as absolutely necessary in the Christian, is a perversion and forgery with respect to the Word of God.[12]

Second, Bridges defines good works in his parenthetical statement as “works done to earn favor with God.” Such a definition is in direct opposition to the Bible. As we will see in the next chapter, confusing works of the law with good works is a dangerous teaching that can lead many away from living a life of good works. Such an error from a man who has taught the Word of God and written numerous books is inexcusable because the teaching of good works in the Bible is extremely important and precise. Teaching that good works are done to earn favor with God shows a complete lack of understanding of the Biblical meaning of good works. As explained earlier, good works are good, and works of the law are as filthy rags. Christian, be precise in your explanation of Scripture, regardless of what men think of you. James warns those who would teach the word of God incorrectly. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). 

Many others also teach wrongly on this matter of good works. Another clear example of the false teaching in this area comes from a sermon on “The Breastplate of Righteousness,” taken from Ephesians 6, where Paul exhorts Christians to “put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Jeff Johnson says:

Whose righteousness is this? Whose righteousness do we need to put on? There is some sense that this is our righteousness. But we realize that our righteousness is filthy rags. That we don’t need our own righteousness. In fact, that’s part of the problem. We almost need protection from our righteousness.[13]

Johnson is preaching from Ephesians 6, a passage exhorting believers to put on the “whole armor of God.” This armor includes the breastplate of righteousness. However, Johnson teaches that the believer's good works, which are called righteousness in this passage, are filthy rags. It is a common error made in many churches. Such an error regarding the Scriptural teaching of good works signifies a severe misunderstanding of the gospel. Johnson confuses the works of the law that the Jews were performing to earn God’s favor with the good works of a Christian who has been made a new creation. To take a verse from Isaiah 64:6 that describes the “righteousness” of the sinful people of Israel, with whom God was angry and had hidden his face, and whom Isaiah describes as those whom God had consumed because of their iniquities, and apply that to the Christian who has been given a new heart and who loves Christ and is living a life of holiness and good works is a deadly error. If you listen to the entire sermon, it is clear that Johnson doesn’t understand good works in their Biblical context. Johnson’s misunderstanding of the believer's need for righteous living is evident. He fails to understand that the grace of God teaches every believer to “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” and to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 3:12). As you will see from Johnson’s statements later in this message, Johnson expects believers to always be sinning. This accords with his view that a believer’s good works are filthy rags.

Johnson’s teaching is that the breastplate of righteousness the believer must put on is the imputed righteousness of Christ. This contradicts one of the leading Reformed theologians, John Calvin. In his commentary on Ephesians 6:14, John Calvin writes with absolute clarity about this breastplate of righteousness.

Secondly, he recommends righteousness, and desires that it should be a breastplate for protecting the breast. Some imagine that this refers to a freely bestowed righteousness, or the imputation of righteousness, by which pardon of sin is obtained. But such matters ought not, I think, to have been mentioned on the present occasion; for the subject now under discussion is a blameless life. He enjoins us to be adorned, first, with integrity, and next with a devout and holy life.[14]

Another respected pastor in the Reformed circles is John MacArthur. What does MacArthur say about the “breastplate of righteousness” in Ephesians 6:14?

And what is the breastplate? What kind of righteousness are we talking about?... So are we talking, then, about imputed righteousness? Are we talking about that righteousness which is imputed to us by faith in Christ…I don’t think so. I don’t think so; otherwise, we wouldn’t have to put it on, right? Because we’d already have it on. We have imputed righteousness already…That’s not what he’s talking about. You don’t put that on; God put that on you when you were saved. But theologians used to talk about imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. Imputed righteousness and imparted righteousness. Yes, we are covered by declaration of God with a righteousness that is not our own but belongs to Christ. But we also are commanded to demonstrate righteous behavior.

So now God has given you an imparted righteousness, and with that imparted righteousness at salvation, He has also given you the Spirit of God, He has given you new life in regeneration, and now you are both capable and responsible to work out the righteousness that has been given to you. Regeneration, new birth, salvation, conversion makes possible, makes real, the impartation of a practical righteousness in the matter of day-to-day living. That’s what he’s talking about.

He’s saying if you expect to go into the battle, you have to be ready, you have to be committed, you have to be dedicated and devoted and understanding that you’re a soldier, get the loose ends pulled together, but don’t go there unless you are living in obedience to God. That’s the bottom line. Holy living is the breastplate of righteousness.[15]

It should be clear to the reader that Johnson’s view of the breastplate of righteousness contradicts not only John Calvin and John MacArthur but, more importantly, God’s Word. Johnson removes the necessity of godly living from this passage. This is not surprising in light of his misunderstanding of good works as filthy rags. Johnson further describes his understanding of the Christian life in this way.

There’s not a moment you can live without sin. You say, “Well, I can live one second without sin.” No, you can’t. We don’t understand what it means to love God with all, all, of our hearts. I mean, you don’t even use all of your minds. How do you love God with all of your mind?[16]

Such a statement is unbiblical. Once again, it shows a lack of understanding of the believer's walk in Scripture. Nine times in the book of Psalms, David writes of how he praises God with his whole heart, seeks God with his whole heart, observes God’s precepts, and cries to God with his whole heart. Johnson fails to understand that a believer has a new heart, a good heart, a pure heart, and a heart that is devoted to the Lord. Jeremiah records God’s Word regarding wholeheartedness. “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart (Jeremiah 24:7). Lest there be any doubt about this truth, consider 2 Chronicles 16:9. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. God himself promised Israel that if they returned to the Lord and obeyed his voice, He would turn their captivity and have compassion on them. “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live” (Deuteronomy 30:6). To teach that a man or woman cannot love God with his whole heart opposes the Scriptural teaching of the work God does in a believers life.

What Johnson is teaching is that every Christian practices sin. This is often referred to as “carnal christianity”. The so-called “carnal christian” is said to be a true Christian, yet one who practices sin. While Johnson would deny vehemently that he preaches “carnal christianity”, all one must do is listen to his teaching. If my daughter were to play the piano every second of her life, no one could deny that she practices the piano. Since Johnson teaches that Christians are sinning every second, is not Johnson teaching that Christian’s practice sin? Johnson’s teaching regarding the practice of sin is the very thing the Apostle John warns about in his First Epistle. “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil...” (1 John 3:7-8). In the same sermon, Johnson goes on to say, “I’m sinning even while I preach…You don’t think there’s some mixture of self-desire to be appreciated and loved and to be thought of as a great preacher? You don’t think I have mixed emotions and feelings and motivations why I preach?” In these words Johnson is revealing his own view that every Christian practices sin.

If we are to be bold in our stand for the truth, we must be bold in our opposition to error, regardless of where it comes from. We must also be loving. That is why I am not attacking the messenger but the message. However, just as Jesus was opposed for speaking the truth by those who were too proud to admit their error, so it is in our day. It has been said that if error is harmless, then truth is useless. There is a great need among those who strongly profess to uphold the inerrancy of Scripture to lovingly and boldly oppose that which contradicts the Scripture.

Bridges and Johnson are not the only ones who misunderstand the nature of good works, thereby diminishing their importance in people's daily lives. The 1689 London Baptist Confession does the same. This is the Confession of Faith that many Reformed Baptist churches use to describe their beliefs. In chapter 16 of the 1689 Confession, the topic is “Of Good Works.” In this chapter, six paragraphs describe good works. The first four paragraphs provide a Biblical explanation of good works and show their importance in the believer's life. However, while some truth is stated in paragraphs five and six, the standard error mentioned earlier in this chapter is also evident. Paragraph 5 describes good works as “defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment.” Paragraph 6 describes good works in these words, “not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God’s sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.”

As mentioned, there is truth mixed with error in these paragraphs. Reader, be discerning with what you read. In Paragraph 5, we read concerning good works, “They cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment,” but in Paragraph 6, we read this description of good works, “Looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere.”

Such inconsistency leads to confusion, as evidenced by most Christians' misunderstanding of the true nature and necessity of good works. Our understanding of truth should be based on Holy Scriptures, not the writings of men. Regardless of how respected these men are or the documents

5

Importance of Good Works

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

Just how important are good works? Meditate on the many references in the New Testament, and you will conclude that good works should be a top priority in the life of every believer. God uses good works for many purposes. Consider some of those purposes below.

ü Men see our good works and glorify God.

ü We were created in Christ Jesus to walk in good works.

ü Good works give evidence that our faith is genuine.

ü We will not see the resurrection of life without good works.

ü God will not be glorified in our lives without good works.

ü Christ saved us so that we might be zealous for good works.

ü Good works are excellent and profitable for people.

ü By doing good works, we stir others up to do good works.

ü Believers will be rewarded according to their good works.

Knowing that God places such a high importance on good works, it should be no surprise that our enemy, the Devil, would desire to keep believers from performing them. We can be confident that if God delights in good works, the Devil hates them. The Devil would be thrilled if believers never did another good work because then men could never see them and glorify God. Our enemy hates to see Christians love one another, care for those in need, offer praise and thanksgiving to God, and rejoice in trials. He despises it when Christians sacrifice their time and money to serve others. He detests it when God’s children preach Christ and evangelize the lost. He opposes Christian mothers who raise godly children, show hospitality, wash the feet of the saints, care for the afflicted, and devote themselves to every good work (1 Timothy 5:10).

What method might the Devil use to discourage believers from performing good works? Our enemy has only one weapon of war: lies. The way Satan accomplishes his goal of hindering good works is to convince those who profess Christ to view them as unimportant, unclean, and unnecessary. When good works are viewed as filthy rags, what reason is there for spending time doing them? Why should Christians devote themselves to good works, be rich in good works, or strive to have a reputation for good works if, after all, they are all defiled, tainted with sin, corrupt, and unnecessary?

Many pastors teach that when God looks at believers on the Day of Judgment, all He will see is Jesus’ work. So why bother doing good works? Such are the tactics of our enemy, and he has been quite successful in his lies. If Satan can convince men into thinking that their works are irrelevant on the Day of Judgment, he will soothe the consciences of many who profess Christ. He will deceive many by teaching that it is “faith alone” that matters, and therefore, our works are of no value.

Yet Jesus gave us this most severe warning in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” How much clearer could Christ make this point: if you are not doing the good works for which you were created, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven? Are you doing the “will of the Father”? Are you diligently pursuing the good works God created His children to live in?

This teaching is in no way promoting a works-based salvation; it is promoting a “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). Correctly understanding faith and good works will result in the kind of life Paul urges the Philippians to live. “…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” (Philippians 2:12-13). We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, not lazily sit back and simply say Jesus paid it all. We must be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

The Scriptural teaching is clear: the judgment of God is based on our works. While this is another topic altogether that deserves further study, consider the following verses from God’s Word regarding the Day of Judgment.

Romans 2:3-11  Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.  He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,  but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

Conclusion

Reader, have you ever seen yourself in need of a Savior? Every human being enters this world as a sinner, separated from God, going their own way. The good news is that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Have you humbled yourself before God and acknowledged your great need for Christ? Have you repented of your sins and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? He alone can change the sinner into a saint. If you have never done so, believe in the Lord Jesus!

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. Sadly, many people have made a profession of faith in Christ but have never entered into a saving relationship with Christ. This is the very reason the Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” – 2 Corinthians 13:5. Can you say with the Apostle John that your heart does not condemn you? 1 John 3:21 – “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God…” 

Saints, can you say by the grace of God that you are “devoted to good works?” Are you seeking to be “rich in good works?” Do you have a reputation for doing good works? If God created you in Christ Jesus for good works, are you seeking to fulfill that calling? Are you zealous for good works?

When you see the importance of good works in God’s Word and how God has created His children to walk in them, you will begin to look for opportunities to do good works. That is why it is so important to follow God’s Word and not the teachings of men. To summarize, before a man is born again, none of his works are pleasing to God. After a man is born again, he is created to do good works. Every believer should strive to be zealous for good works.

Living a life of good works, done from a heart of faith in God and love for the Lord Jesus Christ, is part of the abundant life Jesus talked about in John 10:10. "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Abundant life is experienced when we know Jesus Christ in salvation and walk in obedience to His Word, including living a life of good works. Will you align your purpose for your life with God and devote yourself to living out the good works that God has created you to do?

Saints, be encouraged! As you learn and submit to the truth of God’s Word, He will complete His work in you. Maybe you acknowledge today that you haven’t given good works the place they deserve in your life. Maybe you recognize that your understanding of good works was faulty and not grounded in Scripture. Turn from these errors and seek the grace of God to walk in the truth of God’s Word. Remember, living a life devoted to good works is why God gave you this new life in Christ. You were created with a purpose! Live for His glory and enjoy doing those things that please Him. He looks with pleasure on your good works!

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

[1] Barnes Notes on the New Testament, ESword Version

[2] The Pulpit Commentary, ESword version

[3] Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges, p. 168

[4] Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges, p. 169

[5] Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges, p. 22

[6] Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges, p. 22

[7] Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges, p. 33

[8] A. W. Pink, The Scriptures and Good Works

[9] Cambridge Dictionary, Online Dictionary

[10] Merriam Webster Dictionary, Online Dictionary

[11] A. W. Pink, The Scriptures and Good Works

[12] A. W. Pink, The Scriptures and Good Works

[13] Preached on 3/20/22, Grace Bible Church https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/32022173205448

[14] Calvin’s Commentary on Ephesians, https://www.ccel.org/study/Ephesians_6:10-19

[15] Sermon by John MacArthur, preached Nov. 9, 2008 https://tinyurl.com/2s4mxa9d

[16] Preached on 3/20/22, Grace Bible Church https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/32022173205448