A Closer Walk With God
The Christian And Good Works
In a previous lesson we discussed the matter of devotion or worship to God, especially in our public assemblies. One objective of such activities is to stir us up to "good works" - He 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." In this short but important lesson, we shall examine the matter of "good works" which Christians are to do...
Christians are to do good works. Do not misunderstand the purpose of good works. They are not done to "buy" or "earn" our way into heaven. God saves us by His grace, not by our works - Ep 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."; Ti 3:3-7 "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Yet, as God's People, we have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works! - Ep 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."; Ti 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.; 3:1 "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,", 8 "The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.", 14 "And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful."
Why, then are we to do good works? They bring glory to God! - Mt 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."; 1 Pe 2:11-12 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." They can prepare unbelievers to be more receptive to the gospel - 1 Pe 2:12 "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."; 3:1-2 "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives-- when they see your respectful and pure conduct." They demonstrate the living nature of our faith - Ja 2:14-17 "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." They are necessary if we are to be like Jesus - see for example Lk 6:46 with Ac 10:38.
What good works can we do? Some good works are spiritual in nature. Such as telling others of God's grace - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." We may not all be "teachers" in a formal sense - 1 Co 12:27-31 "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way."; Ja 3:1-2 "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body". But all of us can share with others the wonderful grace of God available in Christ Jesus! Another good work is encouraging other Christians - He 3:12-13 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." We can be a "Philemon" or a "Stephanus" - Phile 7 "For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you."; 1 Co 16:15-18 "Now I urge you, brothers--you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints-- be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men." For example...through cards, calls, visits, Bible studies, etc. we can be an encouragement to others. We can do a very good work by restoring and encouraging weak brethren - Ga 6:1-2 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." We can be a "Barnabas" (who helped John Mark). The importance of this work is seen in light of Ja 5:19-20 "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Other good works are more physical in nature. Jesus did not limit His good works to things spiritual - Lk 7:22 "And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." Nor did He expect His disciples to so limit their good works... Note for example the "Limited Commission" - Mt 10:7-8 "And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay." Another example is the "judgment scene" - Mt 25:34-40. Just as some may be gifted in talent and opportunities to "teach", so others are gifted to "serve" in areas of physical service - Ro 12:3-8, such as "giving" and such as "showing mercy". Women can be especially fruitful in this area for they often have a more flexible use of their time. Why not be a "Dorcas"? - Ac 9:36-39.
No matter how we may serve the Lord, "good works" are a mark of pure religion - Ja 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." It is also a key to spiritual blessedness (happiness) - Ja 1:25 "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."; Ac 20:35 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"' So let's be sure to keep in mind the admonition of Paul to Titus... "Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works." - Ti 3:8
The following are questions to stimulate your thinking.
What kind of "spiritual" good works are you doing, or are preparing yourself to do?
What kind of "physical" good works are you doing, or hope one day to do?
Who should get the glory when you are praised for good works?
