Good Works

Good works that glorify God are the goal of God’s redemption. To claim to be saved by faith and not exhibit good works is contrary to salvation’s purpose and is a lie (1 John 1:5-6). Good works are not what we do to try to achieve acceptance with God, but a fruit of the love which He sows in our heart when He saves us. Peter wrote:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show the praises of him that called you out of darkness into His marvellous light… having your life style honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak evil of you, they may by your good works, which they shall see, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet 2:9, 12).

All the apostles wrote on the importance of good works in our lives. A person who claims to be a Christian should be careful to exhibit good works with zeal. Zeal is important. Not just good works, but zealous and industrious in good works. If we claim to be a Christian and are lazy or dishonest, or who do not care for our family and for others in the church, we are self-deceived. We can see in Paul’s writings that good works are the purpose of our salvation, as this glorifies God:

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you. (Titus 2:14-15).

Being redeemed from all iniquity does not just mean that we are forgiven, but that we no longer commit iniquity. He saves us from our sins, not in our sins. (Matt 1:21) Good works are the opposite of the hedonistic life styles that are prevalent in the world. Good works are shown by our commitment in using our time fruitfully in serving and not squandering it on self-pleasing.

Redeeming the time for the days are evil. (Eph 5:16).

The life of Christ in us is shown by the way we spend our time. We want to make use of our time, to take every opportunity to be fruitful in Christ. We have too much to live for in Christ to be half-baked and sluggish. Diligence and zeal are fruits of the life of Christ in us. Where they are absent there is no godly life.

God is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love, which you have showed toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister. (Heb 6:10).
Love labours. Where there is no labour there is no love of Christ within the heart.

God not only gives us grace through salvation, but also rewards the work which His grace produces in us. He will not reward works of law, but He will reward works of grace. This verse also says we show love toward God by serving His saints. This is how Paul remembered the Thessalonians:

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thes 1:3).

Faith puts us to work. Love will lead us to labour. Hope will give us endurance to keep on. The fruit of the Spirit causes us to serve, zealously. If this is lacking in our life, then is Christ in us? In all of this we are serving Jesus: “In as much as you have done this to the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me.” (Matt 25:40).

The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith…They profess to know Him, but in works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:12-13, 16).

Laziness and disobedience are a denial of Christ. Paul also spoke about the type of widows the church should support. He said they must have lived their lives in good works, or they should not be supported by the church. We should not support lazy people. It is wrong to give things freely to people who do not work.

But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And these things charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

Let a widow not be taken into the number under 60 years old, having been the wife of one man, well reported of for good works; if she has brought up her children, if she has lodged strangers, if she washed the saints feet, if she relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. (1 Tim 5:6-10).

Paul also described the life of those who do not exhibit good works. He said idle people who talk and gossip and who just go about visiting people for no purpose have already turned aside to Satan:

And they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I would that young women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. For some have already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:13, 15).

This does not mean that women cannot be educated and have jobs outside the house. Paul is saying that all of us should use our lives fruitfully in service. When we educate ourselves and go into a career, we should also use our skills to serve. In this passage there is a progression from being idle, to being a gossip and finally to being in opposition to the things of God.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the traditions which you received from us.

For you know how you ought to follow us: for we did not behave disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to you. Not that we have not power, but to make ourselves an example to you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should they eat. (2 Thes 3:6-10).

Any pastor who does not walk as Paul did is a false pastor, namely, pastors who go from house to house giving false messages and receiving offerings from the people. We met a “missionary” who went on two short trips in one year and none the next year and said, “Prayer is very important.”. By this he meant having a late bath in the morning, reading the newspaper and a bit of prayer. Paul said every leader and every Christian must work:

Let him who stole steal no more: but rather let him labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. (Eph 4:28).

Paul served the church as Jesus served. Though Jesus knew the Father had committed all things into His hands, He took a towel and clothed Himself in servant’s clothes of those days and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13). We hear people saying it would be a disgrace for us as bishops to do this in our culture. The culture then was no different in this respect. If Jesus as Lord can do that, how much more should we serve one another in love?