The Law and the Gospel, John Colquhoun, Chapter 12: The Nature, Necessity, and Desert of Good Works

Summary of Chapter 12, §1-2

Since man is saved by grace alone through faith alone, what is the purpose of good works? Are they merely a meaningless endeavor since they do not do anything? Colquhoun would answer with a vehement, “No!” Indeed, good works are a vital and necessary aspect of the Christian life.

Colquhoun defines good works as “such actions or deeds as are commanded in the law of God as a rule of life” (245). These works are divided into two categories: works that are materially good and works that are formally good. Material good works are those that agree with the letter of the law. For example, Paul writes in Romans 2:14–15 “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.” This is due to the law of God being written upon the hearts of man. For examples as to why man is in disobedience to God, see Romans 1:18-32. On the other hand, good works that are formally good are those that “correspond to the spirit of the holy law” along with materially good works (245). Since man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (WSC 1), and apart from the transformative power of the Spirit in renewing their mind, will, and affections to do that what is pleasing to God, man is unable, by nature, to earn, merit, or deserve salvation.

Instead, the vital union with Christ as the true and better Adam who perfected the law of God in his active and passive obedience has earned the right to become sons of God by imputing the imputation of righteousness to the believer’s account, often referred to as justification (WSC 33). As Colquhoun summarizes, “As it is impossible for a man to be justified in the sight of God by the works of the law before conversion, so it is equally impossible for him to be justified by his good works after it. Good works will, indeed, justify the believer’s profession of faith before men, but not his person before God” (245-46). In his following two sections, Colquhoun lists the nature (§1) and the necessity (§2) of good works. I will summarize below in outline form.

§ 1 - The Nature of Good Works (pp. 246-250)

Premise: Defining what constitutes an action or a good work in the sight of the omniscient, all-powerful, Triune God.

They are required in the law of God and performed in obedience to His will (Prov. 19:16; 1 John 2:17)

They cannot be accounted good works unless they are raised on a good foundation.

They are built upon the foundation of Christ’s righteousness imputed to us, received by faith alone, wherein our mind, will, and affections are established upon our transformed nature.

They must flow from evangelical principles, which include:

a soul regenerated by the Spirit

a mind enlightened to the truth

union with Christ by a living faith

communion with Christ in His righteousness

a conscience sprinkled with His blood

a heart sanctified and comforted by the Holy Spirit

There must be an excitement to perform such good works by evangelical motives only in reflecting upon the grandeur of God’s saving plan for His people.

They must be performed in a special manner in the following ways:

in the exercise of trusting in Christ

in the exercise of a lively hope

in the exercise of supreme love

in the exercise of adoring gratitude

in the exercise of evangelical contrition and humiliation

They must be motivated by good ends in performing them, which is done in:

subordination to God’s glory

advancement in conformity of heart and life to Christ

embracing every opportunity to do good around us

preparation for the full expression of enjoyment in glorification

This is only done through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as Paul reminds the church in Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” The Spirit produces a heartfelt, genuine, God-oriented desire to obey, serve, and love Him. We are to do all things, from the smallest to the greatest, to the glory of God alone (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).

§ 2 - The Necessity of Good Works (pp. 250-

Two primary goals of Colquhoun, (1) to show for what purposes good works are not necessary, and (2) in what respects, or for what ends, they are necessary.

For what purposes good works are not necessary:

Good works are not necessary to move God to be merciful and gracious to us.

In Colquhoun’s words, “Our holy performances do not render God more willing than He is already to show mercy or give grace to us, but they are means of rendering ourselves more and more willing to receive His mercy and grace” (250).

Good works do not motivate God to love us more

Good works are not necessary to afford us a right to trust in Christ for salvation

The Gospel call is explained in Romans 10:9–10 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Man must trust in Christ and His work alone, our works are nothing but sinking sand.

Good works are not necessary to acquire for us a personal interest in Christ.

Good works are evidences of our interest in Christ but they do not entitle or qualify us to receive Him.

Good works are not necessary to acquire for us a right to increasing degrees of sanctification

He makes the analogy that good fruit does not make the tree good but the good tree makes the good fruit. Meaning, the work of the Spirit is who makes the works/fruit of the believer good but the good works do not make the believer “more justified.”

Good works are not necessary in obtaining a right to eternal life in heaven

It is Christ’s merit alone that is granted to believer’s their privilege of entering into heaven.

Beautifully summarized by Colquhoun is that “[Good works] are consequences of salvation already procured, and they are the antecedents that prepare believers for the salvation to be still attained. At the same time, however, they are not causes of obtaining the possession” (254).

For what purposes good works are necessary:

Good works are necessary as just acknowledgements of God’s sovereign authority over believers and as acts of obedience to His rightouesness

Good works are necessary as being one special end of the election, redemption, regeneration, and effectual vocation of the objects of God’s everlasting love.

We should be holy and blameless before God (Eph. 1:3-4)

We should be zealous of good works (Titus 2:13-14)

We are Christ’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

Good works are necessary as they are one great design of the gospel and of the ordinances and providential dispensations of the Lord

As Colquhoun writes, “The doctrine of the gospel is not speculative merely; it is also transforming and practical” (256).

In that, there are two elements attached.

When God shows prosperity to His own, His goodness may constrain us to bear fruits in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:8)

When God shows adversity and discipline, it is to yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them” (Heb. 12:11)

Good works are necessary as an expression of gratitude to their God and Savior for His inestimable benefits vouchsafed to them

God has made us

God preserves us

God distinguishes us

God sends His Son for us

God sends His Spirit to indwell in us

Good works are necessary as they are our walking in the way that leads to heaven

No one can walk in Christ other than by faith, yet true, saving faith, is accompanied by zeal for good works

Good works are necessary in order to evidence and confirm the faith of the saints

“Wherever a living and a saving faith is, good works are, in every adult believer, the native fruits and proper evidence of it” (258)

Good works are necessary to believers for making their calling and election sure to them

It assists in the doctrine of assurance as we know we love God and are loved by God when we keep His commandments (1 John 2:3-5)

Good works are necessary for the maintenance and continuation of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

These are not procuring causes of peace and joy, yet peace and joy always accompany a lively exercise of faith

Good works are necessary in order to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior and our profession of that holy and heavenly doctrine

Good works demonstrate an element of evangelism as believers are set apart from this world and act as salt and light

Good works are necessary in order to stop the mouths of wicked men and to prevent offense.

As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:15 “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

Good works are necessary for the edification and comfort of fellow Christians

Doing that which is good to the brethren provides great comfort and discipleship

Good works are indispensably requisite for promoting before the world the manifest glory of Christ, and of God in Him

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

As shown above by John Colquhoun, good works are an important element in the life of a Christian. They are not the means by which one earns salvation, or right standing with God, nor are they the means by which we are entitled to eternal life, nor are they works that offset the bad, for every transgression of the law justly requires the wrath and judgment of God; rather, they are natural evidences of one who has received the gift of grace through faith in trusting in the righteousness of Christ alone who endeavors to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.