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One of the most beneficial Scriptures from which to launch our study of the subject of good works is found in the Sermon on the
Mount. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven"
(Mt 5:16). The Bible has a great deal to say about good works, yet many people remain confused about this subject. It is my desire to
search the Scriptures (John 5:39)and rightly divide them (2 Tim. 2:15), that we may come to a fuller and clearer understanding of this most
important subject.
Jesus made an interesting connection between good works and the glory of God. This connection provides a key which helps unlock
the mystery of good works. Works are not "good works" unless performed according to the will of God, and such should be done for
His glory. The same deed may be performed by one for selfish benefits and by another for the glory of God. Examples of this can be seen
in Mt. 6:1-18,where alms, prayer, and fasting are considered by Christ. If someone gives alms, prays, or fasts for his own personal benefit and
gain, then I do not believe that it constitutes a good work. However, if the same act is performed for the glory of God and the good of
others, then it is a good work. (Read Luke 18:9-14.)
Another important factor in performing good works is faith. Paul said, "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23). Actions
of faith based upon Bible teachings are good works. Good works are intended to be a manifestation of our faith. James wrote, "Yea, a man
may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:18).
Faith without works is dead Games 2:17) and so are works without faith.
Therefore, if we do that which is commanded by God, we should do it for His glory and do it as an exercise of faith in God; then we
can be certain that we have performed a good work. Good works may then be defined as the performance of that which is good and
right, done in the right way and for the right reason. The dictionary defines work as an effort in doing or making something, or as
something to do. It also defines good as having the right qualities, admirable, or desirable. Therefore it becomes evident that we could
define good works as something to do that has the right or desirable qualities. There is a problem facing us here. Who will decide what
is right and desirable? It is certain that if it is left to the varied opinions of men, there is going to be mass confusion. One may interpret one
action as good, while others may condone a different action; therefore good works are not and cannot be determined by man. Good works
are determined by God, for He alone is able to perfectly establish standards of good and bad. Good works are of necessity those works
which are specified as good by God. The place then to find good works declared is the Bible. Let us examine our every action in the light
of these facts and perform more good works to God's glory.
Having established an idea of what constitutes good works, now let us recognize that throughout the Bible we are enjoined to perform
them. God commands that we do good works. This fact should be evident from the original Scripture reference. Jesus commanded
good works to be performed in an open and public way. Such works could be clearly seen by men and would bring glory to God. Good
works are also commanded by other Scriptures. Paul wrote concerning the rich, "...That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready
to distribute, willing to communicate ..." (l Tim. 6:18).Again we read, "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity " (Titus 2:7). Another such Scripture is Heb 10:24, which states, " And let us consider one
another to provoke unto love and to good works..." These Scriptures and others like them should provide ample evidence that the believer
is to perform good works consistently throughout life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we not only performed good works but also encouraged
and excited others to do so? This should be our objective as we endeavor to obey God in the performance of good works.
Having established the fact that good works are divinely commanded in the Scriptures, we now need to examine the role of good works
in our relationship to God. I acknowledge that this is an area of widespread disagreement. Some religious groups rely upon the performance
of certain duties to bring them into favor with God and thereby save them. Others maintain, as I do, that salvation from sin
is wholly the work of grace (God) and does not come in any part or measure by the efforts of mortals. This concept is called salvation
by grace. Those who believe that the sinner must bring himself or herself into favor with God believe in salvation by works (good works).
We must clearly understand that it is not simply a matter of choice as to which we believe. We are to base our belief upon the teachings
of the Word of God, the Bible. Notice Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Paul again denied emphatically that good works will deliver us from the eternal penalty
of sin, saying of God; " ...Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ..." (2 Tim. 1:9). The performance of the Law would seem to
be good works, yet Paul denied that such good works could save us. He said, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). Not even upon "works of righteousness" can we rest our hope
of glory (Titus 3:5).
Good works are not rungs of a ladder by which we get to heaven, for no ladder of man's work can reach God. We shall not gain glory
by our own works but by His work of grace. There are some who say they believe in salvation by grace but will readily tell you that
unless you perform certain works or embrace certain beliefs you will never get to heaven. Others may acknowledge that salvation is by
grace but believe that they will have various levels of recognition and honor in heaven according to the number of good works performed.
Because Christ died for all the elect, all of us share equally in the effects of His shed blood. Since salvation from sin is the result of the
works of Jesus and not our works (Rom. 8:3), the enjoyment of heaven will be the same for all. Those who trust their works will eventually
discover that their good works did not save them nor grant them preeminence over another child of God. Therefore our relationship
to God is determined by His work of grace and not by our good works.
Even though good works do not bring us into relationship with God, they do affect our fellowship with God while we live upon the
earth. Good works cannot save us from the awful penalty of our sins, for that required the cruel crucifixion death of the Son of God (Acts
4: 12);however, they do grant us the privilege of serving the gracious God who saved us by His grace. Therefore, good works are important
because they please God. Paul desired" ...That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God ..." (Col. 1:10). When our lives bear abundantly the fruit of good works, it is pleasing to God.
Those who love God and genuinely want to please Him can do so by the performance of good works as He commanded. Remember,
the more good works, the sweeter our fellowship with God. Enoch "walked with God" (Gen. 5:24) and enjoyed His divine fellowship
for approximately 300 years for "he had his testimony, that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). Fellowship is based upon faithfulness and
faithfulness is founded upon obedient acts of good works.
In conclusion let me reemphasize the importance of good works by reminding you that they bring glory to God and afford fellowship
with Him, but they also bless the lives of those who perform them. James said, "But whoso looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful bearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" Games 1:25).Peter wrote,
"He that will love life, and see good days ...Let him eschew evil, and do good..." (l Peter 3:10-11).By good works this world is made a better
place, we are made a better people, and our lives are enriched. Through good works the needs of others are met as well as those of ourselves.
Good works reach up, outward and inward, enriching all who are touched by them. Won't you fill life with good works as God has
taught through His Word? Let us do more of them today and increase them everyday we are blessed to live.
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