Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Faith and Good Works

I have been reading through The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin for the second time and just finished the third chapter of the third book, which especially is excellent. It is entitled, "Regeneration By Faith. Of Repentance." Here is one quote from it,

"...for repentance being properly understood it will better appear how a man is justified freely by faith alone, and yet that holiness of life, real holiness, as it is called, is inseparable from the free imputation of righteousness, viz. that we are not without good works, and yet that we are accounted righteous without works." (3.3.1)

In other words, we are justified by faith alone, which faith is not alone in the person justified. This is basic to life in Christ's kingdom. Without justification by faith alone, we have no peace or joy. Without holiness of life coming with that faith, we have no righteousness. 

"For the kingdom of God is…a matter…of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 14:17

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