The Necessity of Good Works for the Child of God

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Scott Long | Marietta, Pennsylvania

Like many other biblical subjects, the topic of good works generates much confusion and debate. What exactly is a “work?” What makes a work “good?” Why are good works so important for Christians? And how might “good works” generate controversy?

The simplest definition of a “work” is something one does. According to such a definition, virtually everything we do is a “work.” This fact leads us to what Paul tells us in Colossians 3:17, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” The conclusion is that everything we do is a work, and these works must be done according to the authority of Jesus.

Our society makes its distinctions between good and bad works. This thinking leads people to decide that their status with God depends on how many “good” works they do, at least according to their definitions. Yet, just because work may seem good to us does not always make it good work to God.

Before we look at what makes a work good in God’s sight, let’s think about what the Bible teaches regarding the importance of good works.

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Paul tells us that good works are part of our DNA. God created man and, in that process, instilled in him a desire to do good works. The fall of man does not change God’s will for us, but our rebellion against God ignores it.
Christians are to maintain good works as we live for God. In Titus 3:8, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” In Titus 2:14, Paul urges those who have been redeemed by Jesus and purified for Himself as His own special people to be “zealous for good works.” We are not merely to do good works but to be on fire to do good works. After all, if we were created for good works, shouldn’t we desire to do them?
Paul encourages faithful women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness” and to accompany their modesty with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Their effort to conduct themselves modestly is a work in itself.
Paul admonished Titus in 2:7, “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.”
The Hebrew writer in Hebrews 10:24 urges that we “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” Some of our good works are works that stir up good works in others.
And how could we forget the bedrock principle that James gives us in James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also?” There is no more explicit statement on the need for good works anywhere in scripture. In verse 18, he says, “I will show you my faith by my works.”

What are some of the important qualities of good works?

Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16 that we should “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Good works are not to be done openly merely for the reward (Matthew 6:1-4), but they should be seen and point others to God. Peter begs his beloved brethren to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” He continues his plea, “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation“ (1 Peter 2:12). Similarly, Peter says in 1 Peter 3:16 “that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” The effect on those who do not believe and who see one’s good works should be threefold: to cause them to be ashamed, to point them to God, and to bring them to a desire to rekindle good works in themselves for the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:25 states, “Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.” This statement agrees with Jesus’ saying that we should let our light shine in order that our good works may be seen so that God is glorified.

So, what are good works in God’s sight? Let’s start by looking at some actual good works in the Bible.

Recall that in John 9, Jesus healed a blind man. In John 10:31, the Jews had had enough of Jesus’ teaching and took up stones to stone Him. Jesus asked them in 10:32, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” Ignoring the works Jesus did, they replied that it was not for good works but blasphemy that they took up stones. As we know, all the works of Jesus were according to the will of the Father and, therefore, good. We may not do miracles today, but if we want to know what makes a work good, the best place to start is in the deeds of Jesus. We see good works in His love for all and in His desire to teach others about the kingdom. He displays good works in His efforts to heal and help those in need and His sacrificial death for all of us.
Tabitha was said in Acts 9:36 to be “full of good works and charitable deeds…” What was it that she did? Verse 39 recalls the beautiful works of this woman, “And all the widows stood by weeping, showing the tunics and garments which [she] had made while she was with them.” Tabitha devoted herself to helping other women by making clothing for them. She did what she could, which is integral to our good works.
Paul speaks of a widow who should be taken care of by the congregation in 1 Timothy 5:10. She must be “well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” Paul says that child-rearing, hospitality, taking care of the saints, and relieving the afflicted are all good works. This list is not every imaginable good work. Paul adds, “if she has diligently followed every good work.” This statement is a catch-all phrase, including any other relevant good work not specifically mentioned.
Paul commands the rich in 1 Timothy 6:18 to be “rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.” What those whom God has blessed materially do with those blessings should be a source of good works. The Scriptures do not leave us guessing as to what to do with our material blessings. See Acts 4:32ff for a start.

We could certainly look at other deeds such as “visiting widows and orphans in their distress” (James 1:27); husbands’ love for wives and wives’ respect for husbands (Ephesians 5); the active, working relationship between brethren (Romans 12:9ff and Philippians 2:1-3); and so many more. And we should make a study of the actions of Jesus. All of this paints a pretty broad canvas as to what good deeds are. And we are brought back to Colossians 3:17. When everything we do is in harmony with God’s word, then it is a good work.

These concepts present a problem for some. The wide-open nature of the description of good works in scripture is still not wide open enough. We must add what we consider to be good works to the mix. Several things might appear to be good works by human standards. Things such as, raising money by car washes and bake sales, using the weekly contribution to God to provide meals or, worse, to build gymnasiums and kitchens to bring in the “unchurched.” We must always remember that we do not define what constitutes a good work; only our heavenly Father can do that. He created us for good works, and therefore, is the author and judge of what constitutes a good work.

Another problem for many is a belief that because works cannot save, good works only start after salvation. This misconception is why some conclude that baptism is only a good work to be done after one is already saved. It is true that no work of ours can save us, but is it true that our works only begin after we are saved? The problem with this thinking is that it ignores the fact that we are created for good works. Additionally, Jesus says something revealing in John 6:28-29. The people asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Now, if they are asking about the works of God, they are inquiring about good works. And in verse 29, Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” This statement makes several points: 1) We are not totally depraved because we can choose to believe. 2) Faith, itself, is a work. Therefore, our work is involved in our salvation. 3) Since faith is a work unto salvation, baptism is also a work legitimately involved in our salvation (just as repentance is).

In summary, everything we do is a work. Our works should be good, according to God’s definition of good, and should not be hidden but plentiful. Our good works should cause those who do not believe to be ashamed, to point them to God, and to bring them to a desire to rekindle good works in themselves for the Lord. Our good works should stir brethren up in their love for God and to their good works, which are essential for the one professing to follow the One whose food was to do the Father’s will (John 4:34).

20.07.07 | GROW magazine