Lord’s Day 32

Q86. We are saved by grace through Christ without earning it. So why should we do good works?

Because Christ, who saved us with his blood, is also changing us by his Spirit to be more like him. We do good works so that with our whole lives we show God we are thankful for his gifts, so that God is praised through us, so that we can see by the fruits in our lives that our faith is real, and so that our neighbors may be won over to Christ by watching how we live.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

Romans 6:13

Romans 12:1–2

1 Peter 2:5–10

Matthew 5:16

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

“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? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Matthew 7:17–18

Galatians 5:22–24

2 Peter 1:10–11

Matthew 5:14–16

Romans 14:17–19

1 Peter 2:12

1 Peter 3:1–2

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

1
Since we are saved by grace alone, what reasons does the catechism give for doing good works?
2
How is doing good works as a "thank you" different from doing good works to earn something?
3
What is one way you have seen someone's good actions point others to God?

Illustration

When someone rescues a drowning swimmer, the swimmer does not pay a fee afterward. But the swimmer's whole life changes because of what happened. Gratitude overflows into action. Good works after salvation are not a payment for rescue. They are the overflow of a grateful heart that has been saved by Christ.

Application

Pick one kind act to do this week for someone in your family or neighborhood. Before you do it, remind yourself: I am not earning anything. I am thanking God for what he already gave me in Christ.