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

Part 12 B 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.

In our study of Lordship Salvation, we saw that we don’t have to do good works to demonstrate that we are saved. After a study like that, it’s easy to get the idea that doing good works isn’t important, and that’s just not so!

While we are not saved by good works (Eph. 2:8, 9), we should do them because we are ordained by God to do them!

Eph_2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

God prepared that we should walk in good works, and with the Scriptures, God has throughly furnished us to walk in these works!

2Ti 3:16,17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

That means that with God’s Word, we have everything we need to know which good works to do, and why we should do them. Those who believe unto salvation should be doing the good works set out for them by God to give glory to God

2 Thes 1:11,12 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ

We should also want to do good works because our works will be judged by God!

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 

God will judge our works by the fire of His Word (Jer.23:29) so as to determine our rewards.

1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If we have done good works that are in line with God’s rightly divided Word, we shall receive a reward! But once again, our works will NOT be judged to determine our salvation, ONLY to determine our rewards, or loss of rewards:

1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

It is important to remember that today, under grace, we are not required to do good works, however grace teaches us that we should give out of gratitude and love for what God has given us freely through His grace (IICor.5:14, 15). Remember, it is His grace that teaches us that we should do this:

Titus 2:11,12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

As believers saved by grace, we are always happy that we have received salvation by the free, pure, grace gift of God, but when it comes to giving grace to others, we find there is a price involved.

The price is work!  We have to work at being gracious to others, for it certainly doesn’t always come naturally!  Most of us love free things, but often the idea of working is not as pleasant.

There are two extremes to avoid when it comes to doing good works. Some grace believers forget their liberty in Christ and become slaves to doing good works, that actually may not even be our works to do, such as the Galatians were doing (Gal.3:10). Paul told them,

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”

But the other extreme is to take our liberty selfishly and not do good works at all! That’s why Paul also told the Galatians

Gal 5:13 …brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another

By the way, we are the only ones in the world that have the RIGHT to do good works!  Think about this…how many unsaved people do you know that are seemingly wonderful, giving and volunteering of their time and money for many good causes and works?

Do you realize, that while the world may applaud them, their works are completely seen as unrighteous by God! (Isa. 64:6; Mt. 7:22, 23). This is because they are not done to give our God the glory, but to establish their own righteousness without God.

There are also a lot of people doing their good works to give God the glory. The problem is they are NOT building after the blueprint that God has laid out for His church to build.

Rom 10:2-3 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 

But once we have received “the gift of righteousness” (Rom.5:17), we should WANT to do good works! We should want to do them to honor the Lord…

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

Christ did all the work necessary for our salvation, but good works are the fruit of our salvation:

Col 1:10 …walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work…

We should want to walk in the good works that God set out for us to do!  We must be willing to understand that He is our life, and as we do good works, we are allowing Him to work out His life through us!

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

We need to maintain good works to minister to others, to the needs of our family and our family in Christ.

Tit 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 

So, what are the good works that have been set out for us?  Any good work that sets an example to our family in Christ is a good work!

Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Good works are not just good deeds, as we can see above! Good works are about our conduct in life before God.

Good works are not only about helping someone physically, they are also about our living truth in doctrine.

Good works are about truly loving God enough to do good for others.  It is a sharing of our heart, mind and body to another in need, because we ourselves, are filled with the love of God, and we strive to live out His word in our own lives.

I don’t think there is always joy in doing a good work, but I do think there is always peace. The peace of knowing that the Lord is outworking in us!  The peace that comes from knowing we are part of something much greater than being nice to someone, or helping others.  It is a peace that comes from knowing we are part of the Body of Christ, and as such having been accepted in the Beloved, being assured of our eternal security, we may live out our lives awake and in confidence.

We can make a difference to our fellow members and help to encourage and love one another deeply.

And that should be the burden of all of our hearts!