Bible Question:
I have seen the term Good Works used here. What is the full meaning of this term. |
Bible Answer: Greeting Learn, welcom to the Forum. You asked about good works. Many are certainly concerned about living good lives, etc. but before our "works" have any significance to our eternal destiny, we MUST have FATIH FIRST! Our good works do not earn favor with God until AFTER we have been saved by His Grace (Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5) What does "good" mean? "And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. Luke 18:19 From this verse, we could conclude that for a "work" to be described as truly "good" - God MUST be involved. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 From this verse, we see that God IS involved in every "good work"! Upon our confession of faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior from the penalty of sin, God changes us. We become a new creation in Christ and are given the Holy Spirit as "proof" that we belong to God's family. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer and through His power and influence, HE enables the believer TO DO GOOD WORKS. (These are things that God Himself has prepared just for us! What a blessing is ours when we chose to obey Him and follow the path He has set before us!) In the following verse, Paul instructs BELIEVERS through the teaching he is giving Timothy: "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share," 1 Timothy 6:18 WHY GOOD WORKS? Matthew 5:18 is the answer. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 God re-creates us to restore that love relationship that was lost because of sin, AND He enables us to bring Him glory by giving us not ony the "good work" to do, but also the power(the Holy Spirit) to do so! This is a picture of a faith that is alive in Jesus Christ! (Faith without works is dead James 2:17)But always remember, it is FAITH that brings the salvation of GOd, not "good works". (See also 1 Cor. 3:9-15) God examines the motives behind everything we do. We are either doing to please Him or to please ourself. It is important to be aware of the difference! I hope these Scriptures are an encouragement to you today! Blessings, Mommapbs |