CHRISTIAN LIFE: Faith made Visible
“Good Works” in the Life of a Christian…..
Christians often talk about the finished work of Christ. The term refers to the work that He came to do at Calvary, to give His life as a sacrifice for lost and guilty sinners. Anticipating that atoning death, the Lord Jesus could say in prayer to His Father, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do” (Jn.17:4 KJV). When He uttered that loud triumphant cry from the cross, “It is finished,” the work of redemption was complete (Jn.19:30).
Many different “works” are mentioned in the Bible. For instance, there are “the works of the flesh” (Gal.5:19), the “works of darkness” (Eph.5:11), “good works” (Rom.13:3), and simply “works” (Jas.2:14). The meaning of each must be determined by its context. In this article our purpose is to discover what the Bible has to say about good works.
AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians makes an important distinction that is vital for us to grasp at the commencement of this subject. In explaining Christ’s work of salvation which gives new life to those who were dead, Paul states: “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” (Eph.2:8-9). Our own works, or efforts, played absolutely no part in our salvation. If they had done, we might have had grounds to boast. Salvation is undeserved: it is entirely of God’s grace.
However, the next verse develops this thought of works. Paul wrote: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph.2:10). Literally, we are something God has made, rather like a work of art. (The original Greek word is like the English word poem.) God has created us anew in Christ Jesus for good works, meaning works which are of a good character and thus beneficial to others. God’s purpose for us is that our lives as Christian believers should be lived in the context of good works – that we should be found doing things that are pleasing to Him and helpful to others. Although our own efforts played no part in our salvation, and we were not saved by our good works, we are saved for good works. Those saved lives should now display good works.
James, in his epistle, writes about faith and works and explains the relationship between the two. Faith, by itself, is invisible to man. If someone’s “faith” is not practical and visible, on the human level it is unprofitable. Indeed, “faith without works is dead” (Jas.2:20). James gives two examples of individuals from the Old Testament to prove his point. Abraham and Rahab were very different characters, but both were people of faith and both demonstrated their faith by what they did.
In practical terms, James tells us, real faith is not just a matter of wishing people well but of caring for the needy – perhaps providing clothing and food for those who are without (Jas.2:14-17). Faith in Christ is living, and if it does not naturally display itself in action, it must be questioned whether it is real faith at all.
FIRST REFERENCE
The first time good works are mentioned in the New Testament is in Matthew 5:16. The Lord Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” He had been speaking about light. A lamp is not lit to be hidden away but to shine and to help those who are in darkness. Consequently, His people’s light must shine before men – the light being the “good works” they do. Notice however that the purpose of this light shining is not to result in praise for the one who has done the good works. Rather, those who experience the good works should realize that they are directly connected to God’s working in the life of the individual who did them, and all the glory should be given to Him.
The Lord Jesus Himself is our example in this. Peter, who knew Jesus well, could declare that He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Literally, He went about bestowing benefit upon people. Think of the blind, the deaf, the lame, and the sick that were healed. Think of those who experienced kindness from His hand or heard a word of comfort or encouragement. The “good works” were done because His Father had sent Him, and they brought glory to the Father. Sadly, at the same time they aroused the hatred of the Jews (Jn.10:32). Those who follow the Lord Jesus are called “disciples” and should be like their Master. If He did good, they should do the same.
A SHINING EXAMPLE
In Acts 9 there is a beautiful example of one who followed the Lord. Dorcas was “full of good works” (Acts 9:36). The word here translated “good” means beneficial, and we can see how people were helped by what she did. Dorcas had done the very things James had written about, making clothing for needy widows (Acts 9:39). Interestingly, two different words are used to describe the items of clothing: “coats and garments” (KJV). Not only did she make outer garments that could be seen and admired, but Dorcas was practical and also made undergarments. Had she done her work to impress, she would only have made the former, not the latter. Many were helped by this dear Christian woman’s demonstration of her faith.
In his first letter to Timothy Paul wrote about the ministry of Christian woman and twice we learn of the importance of “good works” (1 Tim.2:10; 5:10). Real godly women are those who care for others in practical ways. Even today there is still plenty of scope for Christian women to engage in “good works” – acts of kindness that will glorify their Heavenly Father.
PASTORAL CHALLENGES
Consider two challenges found in Paul’s pastoral epistles. First, he instructs Timothy concerning the rich. Instead of boasting of their riches and selfishly hoarding them, let them recognize that God is the giver, and let them seek to use their riches for Him. “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Tim.6:18 NKJV). Rather than just being rich, let them possess another kind of riches – being rich in good works. If the Lord has blessed you materially, be willing to share with others.
Titus faced a challenge too. In his teaching ministry in Crete he was to be an example to others. Younger men, in particular, might take notice of him, and Titus was therefore to display “a pattern of good works” (Titus 2:7 KJV). Not only was he to engage in a spoken ministry, he was to live the Christian life. The word translated “good” here means that which is intrinsically good – in other words, good in itself; something beautiful. Indeed, all of God’s people should be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14 NKJV). Our lives this side of heaven should be made to count for God, and good deeds play an important part in that.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Three verses challenge us as to what we can do. First, we need to meditate upon the Scriptures themselves. The Word of God is instrumental in making us what we should be, equipping us for every good work (2 Tim.3:16-17). The Bible teaches us how to live the Christian life – not seeking to please ourselves or live for ourselves. We have a responsibility to be like our Master and to live for others.
Secondly, those who believe in God are instructed to “be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8 KJV). We glorify Him by living beautiful lives. We must not slacken our efforts and become careless, but rather must be careful that good works should be maintained as we continue to live our Christian lives day by day. Of course we will need the Lord’s help in order to please Him, and we must pray and seek His direction in what we do.
Finally, the fellowship of other Christians is vital too. The exhortation not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb.10:25) is often quoted, but the previous verse is perhaps a little less familiar. Hebrews 10:24 states: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” The Lord Jesus Himself did this. He considered His disciples and encouraged them to follow Him. We too need to think of others and seek, by our example, to encourage them in doing good deeds.
Nothing can add to Christ’s work at Calvary, but if we have obtained benefit from His sacrifice we are eternally indebted to Him. His purpose is that we should live for Him day by day, seeking to do good in this world and to let there be an outworking in our actions of what God has done in our hearts – for His glory.