The fruits of common grace include the ability to perform what has been
called “civic righteousness,” or justitia civilis, “that which is right in civil or
natural affairs, in distinction from that which is right in religious matters, natural
good works especially in social relations, works that are outwardly and
objectively in harmony with the law of God, though entirely destitute of any
spiritual quality.”
Berkhof is consistent with the Reformed confessions, compare, for
example, the Westminster Confession on “Good Works,” (ch. XVI, paragraph VII):
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 an heart
purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word;
nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot
please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet,
their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.
So works that are “of good use to themselves and to others” are done by
the unregenerate. These works include works in the social and cultural spheres.
--Ken Meyers
