Good works = wrong??

A little theological ranting.

Okay, so you know when you start talking about the importance of good works, the first reaction you get from other Christians is that "Good works are filthy rags, our righteousness cannot save us."

Actually there are two kinds of works in the Bible.

One are religious works. Just things we do to save ourselves, things we perform to earn merit. These are self-directed, pious works meant to earn God's favour. It's obvious that Jesus already threw those out of the window, so to speak. We don't need to earn salvation.

But NOWHERE, absolutely nowhere in the Bible does Jesus condemn or tell us NOT to do good works  ie. help others, be kind, be loving, etc. etc. No where.

what DOES the Bible say?

Faith without works is dead (James). Also, pure religion means visiting widows and orphans (a.k.a. people in need).

We are supposed to be lights in the world, which means doing works before others so that God is glorified.

Time and time again, in Romans 2:6 and Matthew 16:27 amongst other places, God/Jesus is said to judge every man according to their WORKS. (Oy, you might say, isn't it all about faith now?)

There is a difference between working for salvation and doing good works. A huge difference.

BTW, Jesus separates the righteous and the unrighteous in Matthew 7 and Matthew 24. What does he say?
1) In Matthew 7, he accuses those of performing "powerful" works of being unrighteous workers of INIQUITY
2) He accuses those who neglected to do simple things like feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned and give water to the thirsty... According to Jesus, the things that you do for the least of men, you do it to Him.


So if anyone tells you that doing good has nothing to do with faith, the the Bible says your faith is useless, to put it bluntly. "Good works" are not  "works of the law" or "righteous works".

There verses are amongst many, but serve to hammer home to the point. Basically, they reiterate that we are created FOR good works, that we must be ZEALOUS to do them, and careful to maintain them.

Ephesians 2:10
1 Timothy 2:10
1 Timothy 5:25
1 Timothy 6:18
2 Timothy 3:17
Titus 2:7
Titus 3:14
Titus 3:8


There are conditions/qualified to good works
1) Must be according to the commandments of Jesus and the will of the Father
2) Must be done secretly and humbly without the intention of seeking praise from other people or earthly rewards.
3) Genuine and sincere
4) Not things that we force others to do but fail to do ourselves

Time and time again in the NT, we see God noticing people who are kind, loving and charitable. These are virtues that come from God and are demonstrated by God. People like Dorcas and Cornelius were noticed and praised for their charitable works.

No. Good works are imperative upon us. They are required of us. We are follow God's model, the ultimate finished work of Jesus on the cross. Why? Because in that he poured everything of himself. It was the ultimate act of love. It was the ultimate sacrifice. It was the ultimate unselfish, charitable act.

Jesus is our role model, the cross our example. Go forth, He says, and be LIGHTS.