Reward Offered

62. Q. But why can our good works not be
    our righteousness before God,
    or at least a part of it?

A. Because the righteousness
which can stand before God's judgment
must be absolutely perfect
and in complete agreement
with the law of God, whereas even
our best works in this life
are all imperfect and defiled with sin.

63
Q. But do our good works earn nothing,
even though God promises to reward them
in this life and the next?

A. This reward is not earned;
it is a gift of grace.

64. Q. Does this teaching not make people
    careless and wicked?
    A. No.
    It is impossible
    that those grafted into Christ
    by true faith
    should not bring forth
    fruits of thankfulness.