Читать книгу Modern Lutheran Theology - Alexandra Glynn - Страница 10

We are to be zealous of good works. David’s works to Saul were done in Christ and thus were good works (1 Sam 19:4). We all do bad works by nature, but Christ in us does good works. Let us follow after these good works of Christ in us. For of ourselves we do evil (Ps 14:1). But Christ in us, by his Spirit, works in us and in others who are of Christ. So when we see good works in our fellow Christians, let us think that it is Christ in them that is shining forth, and not anything of the person. For that is the truth. Good works are Christ’s good works in us that others see (Matt 5:16).

People don’t like these good works that are done in Christ and attributed to him alone. Jesus said to the people: “Many good works have I shewed you from my Father, for which of those works do ye stone me?” (John 10:32). Now if Jesus had taken the credit for his own good works, the self-righteous would not have wanted to stone him. But since he gave glory to God, they wanted to stone him.

For we are God’s workmanship. It is written: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). Let no one forget this. We are created “unto good works.” That is, to help other people. It is written: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov 17:17). We ought to study and learn when we are young especially, so that we can better help our neighbors, and be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:17). For “the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise cannot be hid” (1 Tim 5:25).

It is written: “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor. But the wicked regardeth not to know it” (Prov 29:6). So let us remember the poor, the widow, the stranger. For it is even written that we are purified and made holy in order that we might not just do good works, but be zealous to do them: “[Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a special chosen people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). And again: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto all men” (Titus 3:8). From my own experience, the reason good works profit me is that they keep me from doing other things that I should not be doing. Constantly keeping busy doing good works keeps me out of trouble. If I’m so busy helping others, how will I have time to be lazy and tempted and wander, and come to poverty (Prov 24:30–34)?

So, “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb 10:24) which are done in Christ, from a purified heart, giving all glory to God. For it is written: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation [a good way of life] his works with meekness of wisdom” (Jas 3:13). And it is also written that we should have our way of life be “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” (1 Pet 2:12). Notice, if you will, that here Peter, like Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, notes that good works are not for us to notice, for we don’t even see them (Matt 25:38). But they are for others to notice. And we have this testimony from God in the Scriptures that they do notice, and maybe this will speak to them in some way and we will gain them. Who knows? “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:15).