9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:7-9. (Emphasis added.)
Like the Jews of that day who were smug and careless claiming that they were children of Abraham (and thus saved and entitled to all privileges), there is the danger that we too can be smug and careless claiming that we are the elect (and thus saved and entitled to all privileges).
We too need to humbly and sincerely repent. We too need to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance”.
At least the Jews of that day had some confirmable basis for their claim based on genealogy, we have no confirmable claim based on genealogy. We can not confirm our status as elect by seeing our names written in the Book of Life.
If anyone had reason to be smug and careless, based both on his genealogy and accomplishments, it was the Apostle Paul. And yet, he concludes: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16.
The Heidelberg Catechism anticipates some objection or hesitancy to this need to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance” and reminds us that we still must do good works.
Question 86. Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?
Answer. Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings, and that he may be praised by us; also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be gained to Christ.
In summary to this point, we know that we should not be smug and careless. We know that we should “bear fruits in keeping with repentance”. We know that we should “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. We know that we should still do good works.
Do we bear these fruits in keeping with repentance and do these good works according to our own will and our own ability to do them?
No! We can trust God: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
God “quickens” us or regenerates us. The Heidelberg Catechism both describes this “quickening” and the good works that proceed from it.
Question 90. What is the quickening of the new man?
Answer. It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ, and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.
Question 91. But what are good works?
Answer. Only those which proceed from a true faith, are performed according to the law of God, and to his glory; and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 