SWORDS BIBLE STUDY: Why Do We Do Good Works Today? 

Part 12A of the (Why Is Paul Your Apostle? He was not one of the 12!)

By Mari

(All caps for emphasis only)

 (SWORDS: Strong Women Of Rightly Dividing Studies)

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are not under the Law today, but under grace.

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We do NOT need to show or prove our salvation by our faith followed by the works that God had commanded Israel, to be done if they were to be counted righteous.

They first had to believe God and then they had to prove this faith by keeping ALL His commandments. Faith and works were both required of them by God. Look here:

Deu 6:24  And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 

Deu 6:25  And it shall be our righteousness, IF we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us. 

ISRAEL was not saved by their works and they did not know or believe in Christ. They put their faith in what God told them and what He told them He REQUIRED, which was their obedience in the WORKS OF THE LAW. (As you see above!)

Today our righteousness is found in Christ alone. We are saved by grace through faith, NOT of works.  Because we are saved by grace, it is NO MORE OF WORKS…otherwise grace is no more grace, but it is of works! If it is about works it is no more grace!

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Rom 11:6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

We do not rely on our faith plus works for salvation; today we walk by faith in the FINISHED WORK of Jesus Christ.

Rom 4:4  Now to him that WORKETH is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of DEBT. 

Rom 4:5  BUT to him that worketh NOT, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

God no longer requires faith PLUS performance-based righteousness.  Believers today are under the pure grace of God.

We are set apart, made righteous, justified and sanctified when we believe.

From sinner to saint instantly…by believing in Jesus Christ!

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ UNTO ALL AND UPON AL THEM THAT BELIEVE: for there is no difference:

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the JUSTIFIER OF HIM WHICH BELIEVETH IN JESUS

1Co 1:2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that ARE SANCTIFIED IN CHRIST JESUS, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

It is NO more a requirement of God to keep all His commands as He had given to Israel for their righteousness, but today His righteousness is to them that believeth on Him, and worketh not.

Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh NOT, but BELIEVETH ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

So why do we do good works today? Why not rest on our laurels and simply wait until we are collected to go home to heaven?

First, while we are still here on earth in our body, we already have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

We are only awaiting the redemption of this body.

OUR ETERNAL LIFE HAS ALREADY BEGUN!

We have a present salvation!

We are a NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST.

We are the CHURCH, the BODY OF CHRIST! (Eph 1:3; Ro 8:23; 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15)

We understand that we are not waiting for salvation as Israel, we are God’s workmanship, created in Jesus Christ (the moment we believed) to DO good works! (Ehp 2:10)

As Ambassadors for Christ we have been given a ministry, the ministry of reconciliation.  We are to communicate the gospel of the grace of God to others! This is doing good, and we should be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate the gospel to everyone! (1Ti 6:18)

We have been perfectly furnished unto ALL good works! (2Tim 3:17)

We who have been saved by grace through faith, love Christ for His so great gift of salvation! He has redeemed us from all iniquity and has purified us unto Himself.  We are a peculiar people and ZEALOUS of good works.  (Tit 2:14) 

Good works are also good and profitable for us and others!

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

It is one of the reasons it is good to also support ministries. With lots of prayer as well as with ourselves, our time and monetary resources as we purpose in our hearts cheerfully, to HELP be FRUITFUL!  (Tit 3:14; 2 Cor 9:7)

We do not want to live a carnal life, but a life walking in the Spirit!

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

We do NOT do good works to get saved, NOR to stay saved.

We do good works because we ARE saved!

Next week: What Are Good Works