86. Since, then, we are redeemed from our misery by grace through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we do good works?

Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit after His own image, that with our whose life we show ourselves thankful to God for His blessing, 1) and that He be glorified through us; 2) then also, that we ourselves may be assured by our faith by the fruits thereof; 3) and by our godly walk win also others to Christ.4)

1) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom. 6;13.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:1,2.

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house an Holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ . . . But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. I Peter 2:5,9,10.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Cor. 6:20.

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

Having your conservation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. I Peter 2:12.

3) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Matt. 7:17,18.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but, faith which worketh by love . . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. Gal. 5:6,22,23.

4) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Rom. 14:19.

Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. I Peter 3: 1 ,2.

* Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:10.

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