Lesson 50: Good Works

INTRODUCTION: Apostles James wrote that Faith without works is dead, being alone. In other words, a christian’s faithf is dead and useless if it is not accompanied by good works. Without doubt, good works cannot obtain salvation for anyone – Romans 9:32, Romans 3:20, Gal. 2:15-16,
Eph. 2:8-9, II Tim.1:9, Matt.7:22-23. However, once we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus, good works becomes essential – Col.2:10, Acts 10:38.

1. Good works are essential additions to Salvation for several reasons:

a) They demonstrate the faith of the believer – James 2:17-18. We are of course not ignorant of those who are pretenders who “do good” while living in sin.
b) Certainly, good works are the will of God for us – Luke 10:37, Eph. 2:10, Titus 3:1, James 1:27.
c) Good works are acts of service to the Lord – Matt. 25:32-36, Col. 1:13, II Timothy 2:21
d) Good works aids the ministry of our Lord, i.e. Evangelism, particularly because lack of good works might frighten people from accepting the gospel – Matt.5:16, Luke 10:36, Acts 9:36, I Peter 2:12, I Peter 3:1-2.
e) Good works aid the spiritual advancement of the believer – Mark 10:13, John 13:14, I Cor. 9:6-15, I Timothy 5:25, I Timothy 6:18, Titus 2:7, Titus 2:11-13, 3:9.

2. Good works are accessed on the Day of judgment and are divinely rewarded – Matt.26:6-13, Matt.10:42, Luke 6:35, Rom. 13:3, Rom.14:10-12, Gal.6:10, Itim.6:18, Hebrews 13:16.

3. What are good works? They are works of love, done in accordance with a moral standard – I Tim.3:16-17, for a moral motive, I Thess.1:3, Hebrews 6:10 and with the aim of glorifying God – I Cor.10:31.

CONCLUSION: Without doubt, good works are essential additions to a true faith, and we should heed the admonition in Hebrews 10:24. Remember also to be doers of the word not hearers only.