John Calvin Commentary John 3:21

"But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God." — John 3:21 (ASV)

But he who does truth—this appears to be an improper and absurd statement, unless you choose to admit that some are upright and true before they have been renewed by the Spirit of God. This does not at all agree with the uniform doctrine of Scripture, for we know that faith is the root from which the fruits of good works spring.

To solve this difficulty, Augustine says that to do truth means “to acknowledge that we are miserable and destitute of all power of doing good.” And, certainly, it is a true preparation for faith when a conviction of our poverty compels us to flee to the grace of God.

But all this is widely removed from Christ’s meaning, for He intended simply to say that those who act sincerely desire nothing more earnestly than light, that their works may be tried. This is because, when such a trial has been made, it becomes more evident that, in the sight of God, they speak the truth and are free from all deceit.

Now, it would be inconclusive reasoning if we were to infer from this that men have a good conscience before they have faith. For Christ does not say that the elect believe so as to deserve the praise of good works, but only what unbelievers would do if they did not have a bad conscience.

Christ employed the word truth because, when we are deceived by the outward lustre of works, we do not consider what is concealed within. Accordingly, He says that men who are upright and free from hypocrisy willingly go into the presence of God, who alone is the competent Judge of our works.

For those works are said to be done in God or according to God which are approved by Him and which are good according to His rule. Hence, let us learn that we must not judge works in any other way than by bringing them to the light of the Gospel, because our reason is wholly blind.