3.16-17
Calvin's Institutes: What Incentives Are There To Do Good Works?
From
Lane Chapter 20 by Claire Brettell
Although the gaining of merit by
works toward justification are not tolerated by Calvin, he suggests that faith
and works are encouraged and strengthened by the transformation which comes
through justification. Adding, "For we dream neither of a faith devoid of
good works nor of a justification that stands without them… faith and good
works must cleave together" (3.16.1, page 798). And so, from this the
incentive becomes a response and therefore part of justification, but not merit
toward it.
Calvin reminds us that through our
faith, we hold on to the mercy of God in Christ, and that it is through this
freedom then, that we respond and see our primary incentive to do good works as
reflected in Matthew 5:16, 'that God may be glorified in us' (3.16.3 page 800
& 3.17.1 page 804). Which shares our incentive, once again as more of a
response than anything else.
With the use of scriptural passages
Calvin reinforces his stance of a believer's freedom from sin, and the presence
of a holy calling which lead us to "love one another as God has loved
us" (I John 4:11). Shares a believer's motive to do good works as a response
to the example of Christ to us (3.16.2, page 800). And because a believer's good works are an
example of Christ's free gift, they can also be seen as a gift to "him who
first loved us" (I John 4:19), the incentive to do good works, as I see
Calvin sharing, then becomes an offering. Similarly, as one freely worships and freely
loves God, one also freely serves God, the incentive being simply a freely
given response to all that is freely given in and through Christ (3.16.2, page
799).
And
as such we might also take on the holy motivations of God, and so I think too,
that our incentives might also become holy and this would explain why they are
not so easily described.
Now, because our good works are not
merited to us toward justification we cannot be assured of our salvation by our
good works, and the value of our good works is reflective only of who God is in
them, what can possibly be our incentive to do good works? Other than simply a
grateful response? What thoughts would you share with the group?
Great explanation of this section. Calvin's view of works is interesting and just a little bit frustrating. He obviously wants to give us a reason to do good in the world, but he doesn't really give us a theological incentive to do so. It flows from justification into sanctification as something we will just naturally want to do, not required to do. I find this frustrating, because Christ does give us the commandment to "Love one another." Yet, it does make sense that salvation is freely given, and thus it cannot be earned.
ReplyDeleteBe that as it may, Calvin does give us a psychological reason to do good works. He tells us in 13.14.18 that works are an encouragement, an indication of God working in us or through us. As you indicate, this is not really an incentive to do good works.
Perhaps the incentive to do good works lies in the application of this philosophy, in that since we cannot truly know we are of the elect, that we do good works to prove to ourselves, and perhaps others, that we are, indeed, saved.
Also, learned a cool word reading this section, "supererogation". (The performance of more work than duty requires.) I had heard it before but really did not know what it meant.
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeleteWow your phrase:
"Perhaps the incentive to do good works lies in the application of this philosophy, in that since we cannot truly know we are of the elect, that we do good works to prove to ourselves, and perhaps others, that we are, indeed, saved." really got me thinking! It is easy for us to get caught up in the idea that the more we do, the more "likely" it is that God will save us. I wonder if one reason why we might do good works is because we are attempting to mirror those things done by Christ. I am reminded of Christ's words that those who believe in him will do greater works than he did (paraphrase mine)
Claire, do you think that maybe some people do good works to draw others into a relationship. Maybe there are those who do good works to point out the importance of God. Maybe it is a conversation starter for them?
Absolutely, I do think that may be why we are asked by God to lean in and be of assistance to our neighbor. To open a conversation of hope and healing. What the incentive is for some-people, is impossible for me to know - not having access to their intent. But, my hope is, my thought and the way I choose to perceive these things is that there is honor in an offer to help. In my old age, I do realize there must be care taken when accepting help, but overall and with only a few exceptions I do think folks reach out to help because they have been helped, and to as you say draw others into relationship, and/or be an example. Thank you for your response!
DeleteHI friends - I am concerned theologically about the idea that we might do good works to prove to ourselves that we are saved or to prove to someone else that we are saved. I mentioned in another post that I see Calvin on 2 plains the plain in which God understands what is happening and our perception of that world. I think for us, in our limited human perception, our good works do seem to be for a "reason" of proof but anytime we need this reason, we reflect our humanness in the good works and therefore the sin. So, good works, that emanate purely from faith reflect God's saving grace. We need no explanation or purpose except our faith.
DeleteI am not sure we can tell the intensions of good works by someone else. I can only reflect on the intentions of my own mind and heart. Ultimately, God will be the judge. If you are structuring your comment with regard how we in the role of ministry leader encourage others, that might be a tighter tapestry to weave. Speaking from Calvin's perspective then, as leader would mean speaking against works as gaining anything, proofs or merit.
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ReplyDeleteClaire, thanks for making this difficult section flow smoothly. I have always thought of good works as a sort of "pay it forward" proposition, or as you put it "a grateful response." Since I have been so wholly blessed and justified by faith, I can't help but pass those blessings on to others. To do anything less would seem ungracious (3.16.2). Believers seem to do good works because we want to, because we can't help it. I think for me, the reward or incentive is in seeing the light of Christ kindled in another.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, I wonder what incentive there is to do good works when there is no religion in mind? My son hangs with environmental activists and they spend their days protesting and fighting for a better future for the planet, often with no monetary reward. They are fighting for things that they won't see make a difference in their lifetimes, so that rules out immediate gratification. Rick, as you mentioned, I do think relationships are important and they definitely have a community. I like to think that they are glorifying God and just haven't put their finger on it yet, but still, I wonder?
Thank you for your reply to my post, I appreciate your message.
DeleteThe pay it forward image is a good one, but I would like to think that efforts in good works would come too, when we have not been forwarded grace, help and assistance.
As I have gotten older, I tend to move more quickly with the asking of the Spirit of God. Is it that I trust myself and what I am hearing more than I did when I was younger... I think most of the time that I am 'of service' I do not realize I have been helpful, it is a knee jerk for me, now really. Why do I help, because I was there, because I was able, and because someone asked, or it sounded like something I could offer.
I do think those without a religious base do good works, and I think the Lord works in and through people who are not bound to a congregation or are religious, or even know they are being prompted by the Holy Spirit. That is just my opinion, I am not sure how Calvin would stand on that one, but maybe he would suggest that those who are prompted and not baptized outwardly have been inwardly and are 'the invisible believers'... It sounds to me like your son and his environmental activist friends are prompted by what they see happening, and they are ignited to do something to help. I see it as a prompting of the Spirit of God, it is their mission in life set upon them by God... just my thoughts. Thank you for sharing!
I agree Claire, as Calvin noted at the beginning of the theology that all people are imputed with the knowledge of God, it is in our creation. I think good works in these people likely come from this, but, as Calvin notes, these works are tainted by sin. In considering this in practical terms in our human terms, we need to always do works in God, thanking God and remembering our faith in the works. Otherwise the sin tainted perceived good will ultimately reflect that sin . It reminds me of that idea that there can be "too much of a good thing." "Goodness" without faith will inevitably reflect human sin.
DeleteYes, I see your point.
DeleteI think it is easy for us to get "caught up" in good works and forget about why we do them. There are people with no belief in God that do good works. What is the difference? I think it is because of why we do what we do. If my good works are not a response to what God has done for me, then they are only a way to boost my self-worth. This is reflected in Calvin saying, "But because the godly, encompassed with mortal flesh, are still sinners, and their good works are as yet incomplete and redolent of the vices of the flesh, he can be propitious neither to the former nor to the latter unless he embrace them in Christ rather than in themselves." (3.17.5, pg 807) I am tying this back in to total depravity. Even though we are saved, we're still human and incapable of doing anything good.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely tied to total depravity - thanks Pam.
DeleteClaire thank you for your thorough summary. I agree with Calvin that our good works do not procure our salvation, yet they are perhaps encouraging evidence of God working in us. (Lane, p 117) Calvin writes that we cannot rely on our works, glory in them or ascribe salvation to them. (XVII,1. pg 803) Yet, here we are as followers of Christ, preaching good works and doing good works. I like Sharon’s incentive or reward of “seeing the light of Christ kindled in another.” That feels like such a win! Yet so many times, we may not see the “light” or the fruit of the seeds we sow. I believe that the good we do comes out of a relationship with Christ, where we understand on one level the love, grace and mercy that have been freely given to us. Out of this abundance, we (imperfectly) share and pour it out on others…often with nothing in return.
ReplyDeleteThe action of truly good works must come from a heart that belongs to Christ. All other works that are good come from a sinful heart that always has other motivations behind them. "What acceptable thing can come to God from his enemies?" (3.14.6) So how do we know that we are no longer God's enemies? By faith. Belief that Christ has restored us to a right relationship. How did Christ do this? By his death on the cross. It is never by anything we can do.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Almighty God creator of Heaven and Earth need us to do anything?
Works are sign of a heart that now belongs to Christ and our works will always be so-so, this keeps us humble.
But for me the best part of this section is found in (3.14.18) "...without comparison of others, while they examine themselves before God, the purity of their own conscience brings them some comfort and confidence." As I see it, our good works that come from something now in us, that was never there before, are a gift to us. I still remember that man I used to be. It shames me to remember. But as 'we proclaim his death until he comes'(1 Cor 11:26) The Cross! The debt paid. The faith in Christ alone... When I noticed how I've been changed as reflected in my own behavior. Good works? No. God working in me? YES!
The action of truly good works must come from a heart that belongs to Christ. All other works that are good come from a sinful heart that always has other motivations behind them. "What acceptable thing can come to God from his enemies?" (3.14.6) So how do we know that we are no longer God's enemies? By faith. Belief that Christ has restored us to a right relationship. How did Christ do this? By his death on the cross. It is never by anything we can do.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Almighty God creator of Heaven and Earth need us to do anything?
Works are sign of a heart that now belongs to Christ and our works will always be so-so, this keeps us humble.
But for me the best part of this section is found in (3.14.18) "...without comparison of others, while they examine themselves before God, the purity of their own conscience brings them some comfort and confidence." As I see it, our good works that come from something now in us, that was never there before, are a gift to us. I still remember that man I used to be. It shames me to remember. But as 'we proclaim his death until he comes'(1 Cor 11:26) The Cross! The debt paid. The faith in Christ alone... When I noticed how I've been changed as reflected in my own behavior. Good works? No. God working in me? YES!
Thank you!
DeleteClaire well said! (1John 4:11) is the clue to good works. Love is the glue. Maundy Thursday just past and again the new commandment to love one another. It needs to be noted that as one does good works out of love and a pure heart it leaves you with joy and peace. I love Christ, I love my wife, I love my Church and my brothers and sisters in Christ. When I do good things for any of these the reward is every time a sense of joy deep inside. If The only incentive is love your living in the Kingdom and that's a happy place to be. If your motive is other then pure and simple love your reward of joy will be diminished. Peace and Joy to all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments everyone! I am reminded in this section of a conversation I had with a woman about 25 years ago as I was really losing whatever faith I had. She said to me, just have faith, its that easy. You are saved, she said, if you just have faith, but I couldn't figure out how to claim I had faith when I didn't, when my heart felt empty, and everything I did felt pointless. I really tried to be a good person, but without faith, there was always a sense of "what good is this?" Will this get me to faith? to a new friendship? to someone to recognize my contribution? I really needed to be recognized for what good I did at this point. Faith found me, i guess, not from doing but through prayer and listening. I agree with Sharon here that good works in faith can show Christ's love to others but we do not do them with this purpose in mind but as a response to faith.
ReplyDeleteOne nuanced point I don’t think I’ve heard explored yet is the value of good works as a standard of conduct within Christian community. I wonder: can faith communities, by virtue of how members treat each other, actually grow in faith and justification? Can our behaviors towards each other, and the expected faithful responses, grow in justifying value as God further permeates our interactions? This makes me think about some of the value of living in a monastic community – if everything is really done for the Glory of God, does it become easier to let God influence our behavior?
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you have highlighted “double justification” by explicitly describing in simple terms what it means. “Our assurance of being acceptable to God is solely due to the forgiveness of our sin through Christ Jesus. That is we are justified by faith, and it is in this same way that Christ also covers our works, making them good, acceptable and pleasing to God.” Furthermore, you have it stated that, “not only are the justified deemed righteous, but also works which became righteous above their worth.”
ReplyDeleteWe are so used to thinking that it is by our works that we are saved. It may be because of the way we were brought up, but also it may be that we do not have the proper understanding of such deep doctrine that we refuse to teach in our churches. You will therefore find some people who are so used to works for justification and salvation so much so that none other means has any meaning to them. Such may not necessary be wrong because that is all they know. How do we from childhood bring this to the fore.
Wow, great questions and great discussion. Thanks, everyone. I agree with Christy and Sharon that we should see good works not as a promise for some heavenly reward, but rather as a product of faith that we have in Christ. If we put too much thought into it, we're probably doing it wrong. It's a reflexive action. It's just what we do.
ReplyDelete