Day 219

Of Good Works.

Chapter 16, Paragraph 2.

“…edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glory God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 5:16

1 Timothy 6:1

1 Peter 2:15

Philippians 1:11

Ephesians 2:10

Romans 6:22

Reflection

What is the purpose of doing good works? If Christ has done everything on our behalf that is necessary to be saved, then good works can appear to be unnecessary. Indeed, there are have been those throughout history who have denied the need for any good works issuing from the believer. So what are the benefits of good works?

In the first part of paragraph 2 of Chapter 16 we learned that good works are the fruit of a true and lively faith. As such, they are evidences that a genuine faith dwells within a person, and assure her that she does possess true faith. Good works are also a demonstration of thankfulness on the part of the believer. Out of gratitude for Christ’s work on her behalf, the believer in turn obeys His commands.

Good works, then, contain benefits for the believer. But they provide benefits for others as well. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are encouraged and instructed when they see our obedience to God’s commands. The gospel, beautiful on its own, is further adorned when accompanied by good works. Unbelievers can not fault us when they see our good works.

Good works enrich the lives of believers and affect those around them. Most of all, however, they are a means of glorifying God. The good works that we do as new creations point to our Creator. For these works have been created by Him for us to do. Through the fruit of these works, which is holiness, we receive eternal life. All given by God, all for His glory alone.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. -Romans 6:13

Questions to Consider

• How are you glorifying God by your good works today?