Heidelberg Catechism

Question 63. How can you say that our good works don’t merit anything when God promised to reward them in this life and the next?

Answer: This reward is not merited, but is a gift of grace. (a)

Question 64. But doesn’t this doctrine make people careless and wicked?

Answer: No. It is impossible for those who are grafted into Christ by true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude. (b)

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

a. Luke 17:10

 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are iunworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’

b. Luke 6:43-45

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

      John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.