Beckett: “I Know Your Works”

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of Him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of My God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'”

Revelation 3:1-6

As we read Revelation, it is perhaps strange to us that Jesus emphasises the works of His Church so much since we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Perhaps, then, you wonder, “Will Jesus save me or condemn me based on my works?” After all, Jesus did say, “I will give to each of you according to your works” (2:23). And later, John sees that “the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done” (20:12b-13).

There is a notable difference, however. There are two different groups of books. John sees “the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (v. 12). The works of the dead are written in the books (probably very many), and it is by this that they are judged. In the book of life, however, there are only names (20:15; 21:27; cf. Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3). These are the names of the justified, who stand alive before the throne of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-14). The dead—the disobedient—are judged according to their works, and the evil they’ve done far outweigh the good (for they have no good works; cf. Hebrews 11:6). Yet you, having been justified in Christ Jesus, are judged according to what Christ has done on the cross, which is why you shall wear His white robe of righteousness made clean by His own blood. Therefore, only your name is written in the book of life—not your works, just your name.

So then, why does Christ scold the church in Sardis for their poor works? Simply because good works are important for our neighbour. They do not justify us before God in heaven, but they are a natural part of the Christian’s life. Jesus talked a lot about doing good works in His earthly ministry. One who has faith cannot help but do good works; they flow naturally from faith just as it is natural for good fruit to grow from a good tree (Matthew 7:17-28). Thus, when St. James says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18), he means that faith naturally produces good works. If good works do not follow faith, then it is doubtful whether faith is present at all. This does not mean good works justify; rather, they merely confirm (or vindicate) that one has faith. For just as one sees an apple on a tree and thinks, “Oh, that must be a good tree, let me eat from it,” so one sees a good work from a Christian and thinks, “Oh, he must be a Christian, let us commune together.”

For it is not God who needs our good works, but our neighbour. Good works are not necessary for salvation, but they are necessary in the civil realm. Our Confessions are clear on this matter. “First, they [our teachers] teach that our works cannot reconcile to God to us or merit forgiveness of sins, grace, and justification. We obtain reconciliation only by faith when we believe that we are received into favor for Christ’s sake… [I]t is necessary to do good works. This does not mean that we merit grace by doing good works, but because it is God’s will [Ephesians 2:10]. It is only by faith, and nothing else, that forgiveness of sins is apprehended. The Holy Spirit is received through faith, hearts are renewed and given new affections, and then they are able to bring forth good works” (AC XX, 9, 27-29).

And lastly, as a gavel to settle any dispute, “[Faith] does not ask whether good works are to be done, but before the question is asked, it has already done them, and is constantly doing them… This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and all creatures. And this is the work that the Holy Spirit performs in faith” (FC SD IV, 11-12).