THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD WORKS

Martin Luther once complained that the masses reacted in religious doctrine much as a drunk German peasant trying to ride a horse -- he falls first off one side, then off the other. Through the centuries heresies have been associated with talk of good works, on both sides of the horse. Some developed an explicit doctrine of salvation by works, openly preaching it and making no apologies. Others reacted in holy horror to this, but went too far the other way in their zeal. Still others (some of us?) reacted so far from that reaction that they almost fell into the first error again. And it is claimed that some have already reacted from that error to the second error mentioned above, from which others will no doubt react to the opposite extreme all over again!

What may we learn from the Word of God about good works and the Christian? That is our concern in this lesson.

Body

I. ONE IS NOT SAVED BECAUSE OF HIS GOOD WORKS.

   A. On this point Scripture is explicit and emphatic.

        1. If man were saved because of his works, he could boast before God. That is not the case (Romans 4:2,6).

        2. Salvation is therefore "not of works," but of grace (Ephesians 2:9).

        3. In teaching preachers, Paul reminds them of this fact and urges them to constantly impress it on their hearers (II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5).

   B. We need never fear to proclaim anything clearly revealed in Scripture, including this great truth. 'Me Bible itself provides safeguards against opposite errors; we must not fail to unashamedly declare what God has here said, for fear that someone will misunderstand or misinterpret. To do so is to put ourselves in the place of God and claim to know more than He.

II. YET CHRISTIANS ARE ABSOLUTELY EXPECTED TO WORK.

   A. Christians are created in Christ for the purpose of good works (Ephesians 2:10).

   B. Special ministers in the church (pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.) are to equip all the saints for doing their own work (Ephesians 4:12).

   C. James reminds his Christian readers that their profession of faith is inadequate without accompanying good works (James 2:14-26).

   D. Paul instructs Timothy and Titus to emphasize to their hearers the importance and necessity of good works by all saints (I Timothy 2:10; 5:10; 6:18; Titus 2:14; 3:1,8,14).

III. GOD WILL JUDGE AND REWARD ACCORDING TO WORKS.

   A. This is stated more than once in the Scriptures (Romans 2:6; I Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 6:10; Revelation 14:13; 20:12,13; 22:12).

   B. Most of the passages listed above are occasions of encouragement to believers to persevere in well doing in view of God's knowledge and future reward. This is a joyful and positive proclamation!

   C. We should be impressed by the teaching here given and the frequency with which Scripture writers mention it.

IV. GOOD WORKS ARE MEANINGFUL IN THE LIGHT OF OTHER DOCTRINES.

   A. For John the Baptist, they were proof of repentance (Matthew 3:8).

   B. For Jesus, they will be a standard in judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).

   C. For James they are a proof of faith (James 2:14-26).

   D. For Paul, they are the proper response to divine mercies (Romans 12:1,2).

   E. For Paul, they are the result of the right kind of teaching (Titus 2,3).

   F. To be active in good works is to sow to the Spirit (Galatians 5, 6).

   G. To do good works is to be part of the new creation (Ephesians 2:10).

   H. To do good works is to participate in the life of Christ (Colossians 3:1ff).

V. GOOD WORKS ARE THE TEST OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

   A. They are the mark of true beauty (I Timothy 2: 9,10).

   B. They are the qualifications for useful service (I Timothy 3:2; 5:10).

   C. They are the test of true religion (I Timothy 5:8).

   D. They are the means to true riches (I Timothy 6:17-19).

VI. PREPARATION FOR GOOD WORKS.

   A. The Word of God equips one for good works (Colossians 1:10; 3:16,17; II Timothy 3:16,17; James 1:25).

   B. Purging from evil prepares one for good works (II Timothy 2:21).

   C. Regular and constant exhortations prepare all for good works (Hebrews 10:24,25).

Conclusion

Do you say you belong to Christ, that you believe in Him as Savior and love Him as Lord? Then decide to prove your words and your relationship by constant attention to and faithfulness in every good work.

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