This ‘pocket guide’ gives an argument for doing good works in order to be rewarded by God from a reformed perspective. I imagine this is as close as a reformed minister will get to speaking about good works and rewards in scripture.
- Link: Amazon
- Length: 112
- Difficulty: Easy-Popular
- Topic: Good Works, Judgment and Rewards
- Audience: Mainstream Protestants
- Published: 2017
There is a large number of scriptural references which highlight rewards for good works (Rev 22.12; Mt 16.27; 25.14–30; Lk 19.11–27; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 11:26). This book is aimed to educate protestants that seeking rewards by doing good works is encouraged in scripture and attempts to build this into protestant understandings of sin, grace, future judgment and justification by faith.
Since Jones is working within a reformed perspective it’s unsurprising he has numerous quotes from John Owen, Herman Bavinck, Herman Witsius, Westminster Confession (16), Heidelberg Catechism (91) to prove some of his points, also showing they too accepted his stand on good works and rewards.
This post is one of my book reviews.
Overview
If God is For Us. Jones begins the discussion with Grace explaining the effect of God’s grace is to transform us into good people (Ps 119.68; Mt 5.16; 12.35; Lk 23.34; Acts 10.38; Rom 8.29; Gal 6.9; Eph 4.24; Tit 2.7; 1 Pet 2.20-21). This is an outworking of God’s merciful and gracious character (Ps 36.5-6; 86.15; 103.8; 145.8; Mt 5.44-45; Rom 8.32). God’s grace as an outworking of his character is the foundation for the transformation of his people and his rewarding of their good works.
The Trinitarian Basis for Rewards. Jones establishes God’s fatherhood and then shows God rewards his children, who have their identity in Christ (Mt 5.44-45; 6.2,4; 25.24; Rom 8.15-16). Moving to Christ he says Christ died so we could live to righteousness (1 Pet 2.24; Col 3.17). God sees us in Christ. The Holy Spirit enables people to do good works. Their works are Spirit powered. God rewards the good works of his children because he honors His Sons and the Spirits work (Eze 36.26-30; Rom 8.9-10; 1 Thes 2.4).
What Constitutes Good Works? This chapter associates ‘good works’ with the elliptical understanding of the ten commandments (Calvin Inst. 2.8.8) and the commands in the law of Moses to love (Ex 20.1-17; Rom 13.8-10; Gal 5.14; Eph 6.2-3; 1 Tim 1.8-11). Personally I don’t readily identify good works with the law of Moses. Paul has quiet differing responses to believers practicing them. Christians are described as pure, righteous and good because of their union in Christ. Jones explains sinners need to repent. God needs to make them good because only the good can do good works (Mt 12.35-37). For any work to be good it must be done in faith, love and for God’s glory.
Can Humans Merit Before God? This chapter relates a number of elaborate theories intended to deny what everyone else sees as obvious. Jones quotes a number of reformation works debating over whether people can merit anything before God or not. He argues that Jesus merited glory, but humans can’t merit in God’s sight.
It seems to me that the notion of ‘merit’ is ruled out presuppositionally from the start in reformed theology. I wonder what they think of about the scriptures which say people are ‘repaid’ (Lk 14.12-14), ‘rewarded’ (Mt 6.1-6) and ‘given their due’ (2 Cor 5.9-10).
I looked up a couple dictionaries for the meaning of a specific word. Here are the meanings:
- Reward or punishment due; the qualities or actions that constitute the basis of one’s deserts (Merriam-Webster), and
- Good deeds entitling someone to a future reward from God (Oxford Living Dictionary)
What word do you think these are the definitions of? When we see the same in scripture, the protestant says, “it is not ‘merit’”. This is one example of why I think reformed theology is so deeply compromised.
God’s Promised Rewards. Jones quotes passages which say God has promised rewards for his peoples conduct (1 Sam 26.22-24; Ps 18.20-24; Mt 10.40-42; Col 3.23-24; Eph 6.8; 1 Tim 6.18-19). He then undermines the whole basis of Gods rewards saying humans cannot merit rewards because they are creatures and what they do has little value. So a believers good deeds entitles them to a future reward from God, but this for Jones is not merit.
Rewards and Prayer. Jones repeatedly asks is we (I assume a predominantly protestant audience) believe the scriptures that say God will reward us for what we do. He has to in my experience because protestant churches constantly wash their audiences in anti-merit, anti-earning teachings and reward and merit are intrinsically related. This chapter mainly deals with Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches people are in some sense rewarded for their prayers when they are done in secret. Jones links our prayers to the work of the Spirit (Rom 8.26-27).
Judgment According to Works. Jones begins outlining the reformed understanding of justification by faith, explaining that justifying faith is active and lively. According to him, on the basis of faith alone we have (right) standing with God, our works show that our faith is genuine. The judgment according to works is God’s approval of the Spirits work who has powered peoples good works who are in union with Christ.
Obviously the New Perspective speaks differently regarding Pauls meaning of justification by faith (link) and the role of works in future judgment and salvation (link). The future rewards given according to a person’s work signifies their justification (1 Ki 8.31-32). Paul says he will be justified if he is found faithful as a steward of the gospel (1 Cor 4.1-5). The doers of God’s commands will be justified (Rom 2.13) and by our words we will be justified (Mt 12.36-37). This is all to say, future justification is not by faith alone, it is also by works, by faithful service and by our testimony to Christ. I think Bates is especially relevant here (link).
Rewarding Our Children on Earth. This short chapter helpfully explains that parents today rightfully promise rewards for obedience and give punishments for disobedience. It explains their are similarities in the way God our father treats us as his children.
Laying up People in Heaven. Christ and the Father have laid up for themselves people in heaven (Dt 7.6; Mt 6.19-21; Jn 10.10; Col 3.1; Eph 1.18; 2.6). People are the treasure. People are the reward. Following the same train of thought, and I agree with him here, when Jesus often speaks about rewards in heaven he is speaking about the people we have won over to Christ in gospel ministry.
Differing Glories in Heaven. Jones argues the resurrection bodies of believers will differ with respect to their heavenly glory. Some will have bodies of greater glory than others. God will judge the motives of those in gospel ministry. Jones denies Paul’s understanding of reward denotes salvation. He refuses to interpret it this way because it contradicts ‘Reformation principles’. So rewards must mean something other than eternal life. He understands rightly the parable of the ten minas highlights a diversity of reward.
Rewards in this Life. Jones argues God is complacent with respect to how he evaluates his people. He delights in the good and covers over the bad. He cites a particular reading of Jn 14.21 in his defense. In context he says as we grow in holiness we have a greater sense of God’s complacency over us. This is a present life reward. To some degree I’m quite comfortable with this understanding of how God views us. It accounts for the positive statements he makes about some of his people and the way they are identified. Jones argues gospel ministry, generosity, and loving others can all be rewarded in this life with peace and happiness.
Ideas for Good Works. The primary goal for doing good works is to extend God’s kingdom. I couldn’t agree more. Paul’s most common reference to ‘works’ in his writings refers to gospel ministry. Jones encourages us to help those who cannot repay us.
A Test. After reviewing Rev 19.8 Jones finishes off saying the protestants central focus on justification theology hinders the possible benefits we could gain by remembering that good works and rewards intended to be a blessing to God’s people.
Recommendation
The book is a easy quick read. It is pitched at a level that the general Christian community will understand. One could finish the book with only a few hours reading.
I think from a protestants perspective, continued references to God’s promises of rewards for good works, will eventually encourage people to think future salvation is by works. Consequently I’m surprised that Jones is often surprised that the topic doesn’t come up more often in protestant churches. Der!
In general practice, my belief is that protestant minister will avoid to preach on scriptures that conflict with their central tenants of faith. (i.e. justification and salvation by grace alone through faith alone). Instead focus on scriptures which reinforce their theology. If they cant then they will interpret the passage in a way which preserves these central tenants. Jones’ chapter on merit is a case in point. He refuses to admit ‘Good deeds entitling someone to a future reward from God’ is the definition of merit.
I think the book is good in that it does encourage believers to do good works. I fear many protestants today are more concerned about their own personal salvation, than this worlds needs.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2018. All Rights Reserved.
