Role of Good Works in Christian Sanctification Process
The Role of Good Works in Christian Sanctification
The concept of good works is intricately linked with the process of Christian sanctification. Sanctification refers to the process by which believers are set apart for God's purposes and made holy. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, sanctification "involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration" [1].
The Bible emphasizes the importance of good works in the sanctification process. Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" [4]. This verse highlights that good works are not the cause of salvation but rather a result of being created anew in Christ Jesus. The Greek term "workmanship" (ποίημά) underscores the idea that believers are God's creation, designed to perform good works [7].
Different Christian traditions understand the relationship between good works and sanctification in various ways. The Catholic tradition, as reflected in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, emphasizes that good works are a necessary aspect of the Christian life, flowing from the sacraments and faith [11]. In contrast, some Protestant traditions, such as the Reformed perspective represented by Calvin, stress that good works are a fruit of faith and sanctification, rather than a means of earning salvation [5].
The role of good works in sanctification is also linked to the concept of the Holy Spirit's work in believers. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, sanctification is "effected by God" and is the work of the Holy Spirit [2]. Romans 15:16 describes believers as being "sanctified by the Holy Spirit" [3]. The Holy Spirit enables believers to perform good works, which are a manifestation of their sanctification.
The connection between good works and sanctification is further emphasized in the writings of the early Church Fathers. Augustine, for instance, notes that faith is a gift from God, and good works will naturally follow from those who believe [8]. Similarly, John Chrysostom highlights that sanctification is a result of God's loving-kindness and that good works are a consequence of being sanctified [6].
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) and the Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) also address the role of good works in Christian sanctification. The Anglican article emphasizes that sacraments are not only signs of profession but also effectual signs of grace, which enable believers to perform good works [9]. The Lutheran confession affirms that good works are a natural outcome of faith and that they are pleasing to God [10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Romans “that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:16”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) — For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 5.7: works. Hence he desires that they may be fruitful in good works for the glory of God. Such fruits, he says, are by Christ, because they flow from the grace of Christ. For the beginning of our well-doing is, when we are sanctified by his Spirit, for he rested upon him, that we might all receive of his fullness. ( John 1:16 .) And as Paul here derives a similitude from trees, we are wild olive-trees, ( Romans 11:24 ,) and unproductive, until we are ingrafted into Christ, who by his living root makes us fruitbearing tr”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:10: workmanship--literally, "a thing of His making"; "handiwork." Here the spiritual creation, not the physical, is referred to (Eph 2:8-9). created--having been created (Eph 4:24; Psa 102:18; Isa 43:21; Co2 5:5, Co2 5:17). unto good works--"for good works." "Good works" cannot be performed until we are new "created unto" them. Paul never calls the works of the law "good works." We are not saved by, but created unto, good works. before ordained--Greek, "before made ready" (compare Joh 5:36). God marks out for each in His purposes beforehand, the p”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 31.--FAITH ITSELF IS THE GIFT OF GOD; AND GOOD WORKS WILL NOT BE WANTING IN THOSE WHO BELIEVE.: And lest men should arrogate to themselves the merit of their own faith at least, not understanding that this too is the gift of God, this same apostle, who says in another place that he had "obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful,"(7) here also adds: "and that not 248 of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."(1) And test it should be thought that good works will be wanting in those who believe, he adds fur”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 261: Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God's good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him.”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article XX. Of Good Works.: Article XX. Of Good Works.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One:: Part One: the Profession of Faith 14 Those who belong to Christ through faith and Baptism must confess their baptismal faith before men.16 First therefore the Catechism expounds revelation, by which God addresses and gives himself to man, and the faith by which man responds to God (Section One). the profession of faith summarizes the gifts that God gives man: as the Author of all that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier. It develops these in the three chapters on our baptismal faith in the one God: the almighty Father, the Creator; his Son Jesus”