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Works: Faith Working Through Love

Biblical Terms, Devotionals / By
If you have been around the church for any amount of time you have heard of “works.” Good works, good deeds, righteous acts, those things you do as a believer inspired by God to glorify God and serve our brothers and sisters. The Greek word for “works” is “ergon” from which we get the English word “ergonomics.” The word is used 177 times in the New Testament and the supermajority of those times it refers to good works done for Christ.

How is a Person Saved?

It is clear in the Bible that good works are not how a person makes it to heaven. A person does not start to do good works and based on those works, God will grant the person entrance into heaven. Any idea of a works righteousness system is a perversion of the Gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear as day, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Romans 3:28 states it similarly, For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. A person is saved by God grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (John 14:6). 

Who Can Perform Good Works?

Theologically speaking there is no such thing as good works before a person is saved, all those efforts are counted as filthy rage (Isaiah 64:6). From God’s point of view it is only after a person is born again that he or she can do good works (Romans 3:12).

Good Works of a Believer

These works are an expression of faith (Galatians 5:6). A believer does good works because they love Christ (John 14:15). Works are any act or attitude done in the name and love of Christ that helps another person. They most often show up in how believers treat one another in the local church. They certainly extend outside the church, but they will be most prominent in the church. Good works would include: attending church worship services, praying, reading and studying Scripture, sharing the Gospel, serving in the church, helping those in need, visiting the sick, showing mercy, giving, comforting, advising, and loving people in acts of kindness and compassion, to name but a few. However it is important to remember that all these works are only accepted by God if they are done with the right motive and attitude (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5). A believer could work day and night, but if his or her motive is for prominence or to impress others then those works will be rejected by God (2 John 8).

A Sweet Aroma to God

When done for the glory of Christ and the blessing of others, good works are like a sweet aroma that comes up before the throne of God (Philippians 4:18). Believers come together to encourage one another to this end. Hebrews 10:24, Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.

Scripture Reference

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and 1that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our brighteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.
Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
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