Christians. Please describe how "you" are doing "good works" . What is your definition of good works???

Question

Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Alpha wolf pup. I am happy to hear that you are trying to deal with your anxiety. Don't let it hold you back. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Answer 1

I chose to do my 8-11 minute persuasive speech on persuading people to become Christians. I have to do it tomorrow and my anxiety is killing me.

Answer 2

Works alone cannot save you. Titus 3:5 But at the same time, faith without works is dead. James 2:20.

Anotherwords, I can do all the good deeds I want and that won't save me if I don't accept Jesus as the son of God. Once you become saved and do accept him, works is an overflowing part of it all. Same goes the other way too. I can have faith, but refuse to do any good works. Why hold a door for someone? Why should I refrain from cursing, etc... why should I follow any commandments, I am saved, right?

My definition of good works is doing God's will, such as not breaking his commandments.

Answer 3

We must first understand that even after we are saved we still have our old flesh nature along with our new spirit nature. These are in constant conflict. (Romans 7:14-25) If you don't experience this conflict, you may want to reconsider your salvation.

Since the believer now has two natures battling for dominance or control we must decide which one will have sway over us.

If we die to self and allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control us then the "good" things we do are considered "divine good" and will be rewarded. (Prov. 11:18; open rewards Matt. 6:3, 4; 17, 18; Prov. 13:13; Prov. 25:21, 22; Matt. 6:1; Heb. 11:6; Col. 3:23, 24; Rev. 22:12)

However, if we allow the flesh nature to control us the good things we do are "human good" and will be burned at the judgment seat of Christ. (I Cor. 3:9-15)

I, myself, try to know God's word and keep it, maintain an unbroken relationship with the Lord by keeping my sins confessed often, serving in the local church, and reaching out to others in anyway I can.

Answer 4

You must understand that it is talking about 2 different sort of works.

"Faith not works" is about there is no works we can do to earn salvation. No amount of money, no goods, no trades we can make to pay God for our lives.

Works in vs.10 is about what things God requires of us to do. Galatians 5:22-23 shows we must demonstrate the "fruitages of the spirit" by making our lives over. This requires considerable work as before these verses, it talks about the "works of the flesh" we had before.

Also work is to be done as ordered by Jesus at Matthew 24:14. It is a preaching and teaching work covering every single person on the planet. At the very least, they must be given the opportunity to hear. If they refuse and turn it down, that is then upon their own heads.

It is as Romans 10:10, 13-15 shows, "With the heart we exercise faith, but with the mouth one makes public declaration....Everyone calling to me Lord, Lord will be saved." That is where everyone stops reading, but go further. How can one call if they have not heard? How can they hear without someone to preach?

Not just any preaching, but based on accurate knowledge and full discernment. (Philip.1:9) You do that by working to make sure of all things and testing them to see if they originate with God. (1Thess. 5:21; 1John 4:1)

So you see, there is a lot of works we are commanded to do though none of them buy us life.

Answer 5

Wow, lots of answers on this so I'll keep it short.First off we are saved by Faith.So the works that we do does not determin our salvation nor do we work to keep our salvation through our works.But we will be judged by our works whether they are good or bad.What our works do determin is the rewards we will recieve.My definition of good works is any and everything that we do that is pleasing to God, and the attitude of our heart when we do it. Look at 1 Corinthians 3:11-23.and it explains what I'm talking about.Best Wishes>>

Answer 6

This question is sort of a catch 22. The Bible warns us not to boast. However, I would ask that you remember in my answer that all these things I do, I do because of Christ.... not from myself.

love all people, many times inviting them into my house for food, conversation or just whatever.

Being an interpreter for the deaf, I could charge a ton(60-120 dollars just to walk in the door) for my service. I choose to get just enough to cover my expenses with a tad more (40 dollars for two hours) because I want them to have the information.

Sometimes just for the heck of it, when I go through a drive through, I pay for the persons order behind me and tell the clerk to tell them that (God wanted them to have a meal on Him today) * I like this one... it's sort of fun to try to get away before they can catch up to you... I don't want any thank you's.... it's just nice to do good.

I share what I know about the Bible to those who ask, and occasionally a few who don't.

I take in stray and abused animals and humans.

Collect and give clothing to the needy.

If I see someone has broken down near my house (which is often because I live near the freeway) I help them as best as I can. ( use the pone, use my AAA Card, help them get gas ect.)

Treat everyone as a human being regardless of if they are homeless, or a different race or whatever difference they have.

Basically trying my best with God's help to meet any need that someone I come in contact with might have.

This is not the extent of (mine) God's good works. All of this is done by God and not because I am a great human being. It is because He instilled this need to help others in me. Any good thing I do is hopefully just a reflection of Christ in me.

Answer 7

Kate,

Good works proceed from faith. Scripture says that good works have been prepared in advance for us to do.

We all do visible things, but the sum total of good works are everything a Christian does that is not sin. Even when we sin we can still do good works though. Eg: I've had a bad day, I come home and am angry with the world. My wife has made a nice supper and I take time to thank her. Even as I am sinning in my anger, giving thanks is a good work.

Mark

Answer 8

First, I do not do good works, the changes that the Lord Jesus Christ is making in me because of my being saved by faith through Him do the good works that are evident in my life.

Good works is not anything that we as human's can do. It is only through living out His word, and giving our life to Him to lead in our obedience that good works happen. These works include being set apart from, and different than those of the world, so that Christ shines through us being a vessel to Him. In prayer, God will lead us where He wants us to be, and it will surely give glory to Him if we are obedient. These, are the good works. Not our working at the shelter on Saturday, or feeding the hungry at the soup kitchen on Tuesday, but the day to day lives we lead that reflect God in all we do.

God bless.

Answer 9

In the book of James it says ," faith without deeds is dead" once we have received our gift of salvation we are put to work in God's fields planting seeds and cultivating the soil in which God has put us in. Our own environment may have to be even changed to protect us from our previous path. A life dedicated to serving Christ and others is pleasing to the Lord.

I believe the work we do that directs others to what is good by way of the Lord is a good work. To lift others up in the way they should go. If you are building others up then that is the way of the Lord. If you are tearing people down then that is the work of the destroyer.

I love the book of James, it has alot of "how to" be a good worker information.

Answer 10

Easton's Bible Dictionary speaks of and defines Good works as this:

"The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Romans 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the better.

The objection has no validity. The gospel of salvation by grace shows that good works are necessary. It is true, unchangeably true, that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. "Neither adulterers, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards" shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Works are "good" only when, (1) they spring from the principle of love to God. The moral character of an act is determined by the moral principle that prompts it. Faith and love in the heart are the essential elements of all true obedience. Hence good works only spring from a believing heart, can only be wrought by one reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:18:22).).

Good works have the glory of God as their object; and (3) they have the revealed will of God as their only rule (Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18,19).
Good works are an expression of gratitude in the believer's heart (John 14:15,23; Galatians 5:6). They are the fruits of the Spirit (Titus 2:10-12), and thus spring from grace, which they illustrate and strengthen in the heart.

Good works of the most sincere believers are all imperfect, yet like their persons they are accepted through the mediation of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17), and so are rewarded; they have no merit intrinsically, but are rewarded wholly of grace. "



I personally see good works in my life in areas I give to God. Trying to reach the lost with salvation, or in the least, a good Christian example. Giving my gifts to God, by letting him use me in Bible studies and amongst friends. And here on Answers. I try to let God use me to help speak his word and counsel when needed, within my gifts. And praising God.

in the love of Christ, Joyful

Answer 11

My definition of works is any action in which I am serving. This can be teaching SS or simply picking up a pencil someone dropped. Check out James 2. Works won't save you. But once you are saved works are a testimony. The concept is the same as the fruits of the spirit. You don't work at the fruits of the spirit. They come with your salvation and are evidence of your faith.
James 218 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.