Paragraph 16.7
Chapter 16: Of Good Works
Works done by unregenerate Men, although for the Matter of them, they may be Things which God commands, and of good Use, both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a Heart purified bya Faith, nor are done in a right Manner according to theb Word, nor to a right End thec Glory of God, they are sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a Man meet to receive Grace fromd God; and yet their neglect of them is more sinful, ande displeasing to God.f
a. 2 Kings 10:30; 1 Kings 21:27, 29
2 Kings 10:30
10:30 And the Lord said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
10:30 Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel."
1 Kings 21:27; 1 Kings 21:29
21:27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 21:29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
21:27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. 21:29 "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son."
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b. Genesis 4:5; Hebrews 11:4, 6
Genesis 4:5
4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 11:6
11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
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c. 1 Corinthians 13:1
1 Corinthians 13:1
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
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d. Matthew 6:2, 5
Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5
6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6:2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6:5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
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e. Amos 5:21–22; Romans 9:16; Titus 3:5
Amos 5:21–22
5:21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 5:22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
5:21 "I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. 5:22 Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.
Romans 9:16
9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
9:16 So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.
Titus 3:5
3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
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f. Job 21:14–15; Matthew 25:41–43
Job 21:14–15
21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 21:15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
21:14 Yet they say to God: 'Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. 21:15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?'
Matthew 25:41–43
25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
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