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Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:3-7; Matthew 3:16,17; [John 14:31; Hebrews 12:2]; John 5:30, 36; 14:11, 12; Matthew 23:1-12; Titus 1:9, 1-16; Philippians 4:13; I Corinthians 15:9, 10; Matthew 5:16, 16:27; Revelation 22:12; Acts 9:36; Romans 13:3; Ephesians 2:10; I Timothy 2:9, 10; 5:10, 22-25; 6:17-21; II Timothy 3:16, 17; Titus 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:23-25; I Peter 2:9-12

Good works, not works of the flesh or works to be good, issue from a heart of love and service because God has made us good. Salvation is by God’s grace — not by any goodness on our part, any works of the law, or anything we could ever offer God. Our best would always fall short of His righteousness, which is why He gives salvation as a gift. Our salvation is also not a reward. We were given a new nature by which we can have spiritual fruit. We are not to walk in a way that will make us accepted in God’s sight, but we walk in that fashion and do good works BECAUSE God has made us accepted. This walk of good works issues from a heart of love and service.

We must separate works of the flesh from good works that issue from the new nature within that has been renewed and is therefore willing to walk in a life of service. Jesus Christ had two motives for his actions — he loved the Father and he understood about rewards. Both of these motives are good. He wanted his life and actions to be a testimony to God. Because we have the spirit of God, we can walk as Jesus Christ walked and have good fruit in our lives that people can see. Our motive for good works should be to demonstrate to others the goodness of our God so He is glorified. We are His witnesses, His advertisements!

Are good works profitable? In light of eternity, we will receive rewards for our good works. We will bear fruit for eternity for our labors of love in this life now. We, as God’s children, can motivate each other by speaking the truth and provoking one another unto good works. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!" He was not bragging but was speaking with confidence based on the truth. We too can do all things but not by ourselves — we need Christ to strengthen us.

When we walk by the spirit and Word of God, we can do the works that Jesus Christ did and greater works. The goal of our endeavors is to glorify God and to lay up rewards for eternity. We can walk in our new natures and do those good works that God has before-ordained for us to do. As we go to Him in prayer, meditating upon His Word, renewing our minds and disciplining ourselves, we can put off the old man and put on the new. As we do so, others will see the children of God, filled with the power of the holy spirit and renewed in the spirit of their minds.


#260 Good Works Are Good -- Feb. 3, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 72:18 minutes
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"Good Works Are Good" -- Rev. Steven A. Michels Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:3-7; Matthew 3:16,17; [John 14:31; Hebrews 12:2]; John 5:30, 36; 14:11, 12; Matthew 23:1-12; Titus 1:9, 1-16; Philippians 4:13; I Corinthians 15:9, 10; Matthew 5:16, 16:27; Revelation 22:12; Acts 9:36; Romans 13:3; Ephesians 2:10; I Timothy 2:9, 10; 5:10, 22-25; 6:17-21; II Timothy 3:16, 17; Titus 2:7, 14, 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:23-25; I Peter 2:9-12 Good works, not works of the flesh or works to be good, issue from a heart of love and service because God has made us good. Salvation is by God’s grace — not by any goodness on our part, any works of the law, or anything we could ever offer God. Our best would always fall short of His righteousness, which is why He gives salvation as a gift. Our salvation is also not a reward. We were given a new nature by which we can have spiritual fruit. We are not to walk in a way that will make us accepted in God’s sight, but we walk in that fashion and do good works BECAUSE God has made us accepted. This walk of good works issues from a heart of love and service. We must separate works of the flesh from good works that issue from the new nature within that has been renewed and is therefore willing to walk in a life of service. Jesus Christ had two motives for his actions — he loved the Father and he understood about rewards. Both of these motives are good. He wanted his life and actions to be a testimony to God. Because we have the spirit of God, we can walk as Jesus Christ walked and have good fruit in our lives that people can see. Our motive for good works should be to demonstrate to others the goodness of our God so He is glorified. We are His witnesses, His advertisements! Are good works profitable? In light of eternity, we will receive rewards for our good works. We will bear fruit for eternity for our labors of love in this life now. We, as God’s children, can motivate each other by speaking the truth and provoking one another unto good works. Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!" He was not bragging but was speaking with confidence based on the truth. We too can do all things but not by ourselves — we need Christ to strengthen us. When we walk by the spirit and Word of God, we can do the works that Jesus Christ did and greater works. The goal of our endeavors is to glorify God and to lay up rewards for eternity. We can walk in our new natures and do those good works that God has before-ordained for us to do. As we go to Him in prayer, meditating upon His Word, renewing our minds and disciplining ourselves, we can put off the old man and put on the new. As we do so, others will see the children of God, filled with the power of the holy spirit and renewed in the spirit of their minds.