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March 30, 2014 |
| The Works Prepared For Us To Do | ||
We know that salvation does not come by works, but by faith. We also know that faith is shown by the works it produces. This can be confusing. In Romans and Galatians Paul says that we are not justified by works. In James we are told that we are justified by works. This is another case where context is so important. Paul is speaking of works done without faith. James is speaking of works done with faith.
In this lesson we will look at what the Bible means by works and what it means for the Christian life.
In Ephesians 2 we are given some important insights where it says
10 For we are his creatures who are created in [Jesus] The Messiah for good works, those things which God had from the first prepared that we should walk in them.
From this we see that
We'll look at each of these in turn but first we need to make sure we understand what is meant by works.
In Titus 2 we are told that we should strongly desire (be zealous for) good works
14 [Jesus the Messiah] gave himself in our place to redeem us from all evil and to purify a new people for himself, which is zealous of good works.
The truth is that the Bible doesn't give many specific examples of good works. We have this from James 1
27 For pure and holy ministry before God The Father is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their affliction, and for a man to keep his soul without defilement from the world.
We also have these examples from Jesus in Matthew 25
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, and I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. 36 I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
We also have this from Matthew 7 where Jesus says
21 It is not everyone that says to me, 'My Lord, my Lord', who enters the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, 'My Lord, my Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out demons, and have done many mighty works in your name?'
23 And then I will confess to them, 'I have never known you, remove yourselves far from me, you workers of evil.'
In these verses we see people, on judgment day, trying to justify themselves by the works that they have done. These works are the same works that God's people could be doing but the difference is that we must be doing the will of the Father and doing his will does include works. So we see the most important point about works, doing the works that we want to do may seem right to us but may not be the will of the Father. Even if we intend for the works we do to glorify God, they may not be the will of the Father.
A thorough read of the Bible shows that good works can be anything that we do or say that is the will of the Father. They include actions to produce Christian growth within ourselves and within others and also bringing growth to the body of the Messiah by bringing people to faith. This growth is what the Bible calls fruit as seen in Colossians 1.
10 That you would walk according to what is right, and that you may please God in all good works and yield fruit, and increase in the knowledge of God,
Before we were in the Messiah we also had works - evil works. Galatians 5 talks about this and talks about the fruit that our good works, through the Holy Spirit, should bring.
19 For the works of the flesh are known, which are fornication, impurity, whoredom, 20 The worship of idols, witchcraft, hate, contention, rivalry, rage, insolence, dissensions, divisions, 21 Envy, murder, drunkenness, reveling and all such things; those who are committing these things, as I said to you from the first, I say now also, that they shall not inherit The Kingdom of God.
22 But the fruits of The Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, sweetness, goodness, faith, 23 Humility, endurance; […].
We were created to do good works that we would glorify God and God would glorify us. Without the opportunity to do good works we would have no glory. These good works are also for our benefit in that they produce the fruit in us that Paul describes in these verses
This is important to understand. From the creation of the world God prepared works for us to do. He has selected just the right works for us, works that are suited to us and the role that God wants us to play. And in most cases these works require very little of us - nothing more than to step out in faith really.
Consider the case of David and Goliath1. God had prepared everything for this encounter between them. Goliath was arrogant and over-confident and that led him to be reckless, especially when facing a young man. Thus this work was selected for David and David was selected for this work. If the greatest warrior of the Israelites had been sent out to face Goliath, we expect Goliath would have been more careful. Goliath's armor had also been prepared so that his head wasn't fully covered. In a normal battle he probably would have carried a shield to cover it.
David had also been prepared for this work. He had gained confidence in using a sling to throw a stone. He also honored God in his life and gave the glory for this work to the name of God, in advance. Everything was prepared; all David had to do was step out in faith and throw a stone. We expect that God even guided his hand.
This is seen over and over in the Bible. A person or some people are given a small part to play in God's great plan and everything is prepared in advance. They only need to play their small part and when they do God lavishes glory on them for what they have done.
So we need to understand that it is really God who is doing these works, though he chooses to use us in them. John 3 makes this clear.
19 This is the judgment: the Light has come into the world and the children of men loved the darkness more than the Light, because their works were evil.
20 For everyone who does what is hateful, hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his works should be convicted.
21 But he who does the Truth comes to the Light, so that his works may be revealed, that they are performed by God."
By "walking in good works" the Apostle Paul is describing a life of continuing good works in all parts of our lives. Not just a few good works here and there or only particular kinds of good works, but Paul is thinking of a desire that constantly motivates us to look for and do good works everywhere we are and in everything we do. The following quote makes some good points.
"Therefore, though it's certainly right for you to invest yourself in the life of your church and to engage in works of outreach for the sake of the poor, the oppressed, and those who don't know God's grace in Christ, Ephesians 2:10 would encourage you to learn to see your whole life as an interconnected series of good works offered to God."
"This means that your good works can include that which you do at work, in the classroom, on the football field, in your neighborhood, and in your community associations. If you're a boss, part of your good works involve the way you manage your employees. If you're a parent, your good works include making dinner for your children as well as praying with them as you tuck them into bed. The more we grow in our faith, the more we see ourselves as God's masterpieces, the more we will indeed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, by his strength, under his authority, and for his purposes."[2]
If our faith is alive then we will desire good works because that is our new nature in the Messiah. This is covered in James 2:14-26 of which only verse 24 is shown below.
24 You see that by works a man is justified and not from faith alone.
We should do good works because it is righteous, it is good for us, and for the joy of doing good. But we do not do good works for nothing. Just as James says that the sign of true faith is works, works are also the basis for our reward when the Messiah returns. We have these verses and many others.
Hebrews 6 10 For God is not evil, that he would disregard your works and your love which you have shown in his name, which you have ministered to the saints and you do minister.
Matthew 16 27 For The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with the Holy Angels and then he will repay each man according to his works.
Romans 2:6 He who pays every person according to his works:
Revelation 22 12 Behold, I come at once, and my reward is with me, and I shall give to every person according to his work.
1 1 Samuel 17
2 http://www.thehighcalling.org/reflection/what-are-good-works-god-has-prepared-us#.UzIYL2ePKCg