Sunday, December 21, 2008

God Loves Our Works


"Our doctrine, therefore, is that the good works of believers are always devoid of a spotless purity which can stand the inspection of God; nay that when they are tried by the strict rule of justice, they are, to certain extent impure. But, when once God has graciously adopted believers, he not only accepts and loves their persons, but their works also, and condescends to honor them with a reward." (John Calvin, The Necessity of Reforming the Church, p. 64)
Let the saints be joyful in glory, let them sing aloud on their beds, let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind the kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron. Psalm 149:5-8