Which Works to Walk In
by Pastor Ricky Kurth
Every
true believer knows we are saved by grace through faith, apart from
good works (Rom. 4:5; Titus 3:5). This does not mean, however, that good
works have no place in the dispensation of grace, for right after
affirming that we are saved without works (Eph. 2:8,9), Paul quickly
asserts that, as new creatures in Christ (II Cor. 5:17), we are created
to walk in the good works He has ordained for us (Eph. 2:10). If you
have ever wondered what kind of works God expects us to "maintain"
(Titus 3:8,14) in our Christian walk, we hope the following brief study
of the phrase "good work(s)" in Scripture will help.
For the Ladies
To
begin with, in Acts 9 we meet Dorcas, a woman "full of good works"
(9:36). She was evidently quite the seamstress, for her good works are
later defined by a reference to "the coats and garments which Dorcas
made" (v. 39). In those days, it could be said of many a virtuous woman
that "she seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands"
(Prov. 31:13 cf. vv. 22,24). Thus we know that when a Christian woman
performs the many duties of a wife and mother, she is walking in the
good works in which she was created to walk.
To
this must be added the testimony of the Apostle Paul, who speaks of
widows who were "well reported of for good works" (I Tim. 5:10). He then
goes on to describe things like bringing up children, hospitality, and
caring for the sick as good works with which godly women can adorn
themselves (I Tim. 2:9,10).
For the Men
In
the natural accompaniment to these instructions to godly women, Paul
instructs the man of God to "labour, working with his hands the thing
which is good" (Eph. 4:28). Well, if Christian men are told to work the thing which is good, wouldn't going to work be a good work? You would think so, especially since God plans to reward men for "whatsoever good thing any man doeth" on the job (Eph. 6:8).
We
doubt that most Christians consider these everyday responsibilities as
good works, but God says they are. And if being good husbands and
fathers and wives and mothers be viewed as good works, it is not a
stretch to suggest that being a good citizen would also be found in that
category, especially since we are told "to obey magistrates" and, in so
doing, "be ready to every good work" (Titus 3:1).
For the Rich
Next,
Paul told Timothy to "charge them that are rich…that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate" (I Tim.
6:17,18). Obviously the financial support of the Lord's work and less
fortunate brethren also constitute good works in God's eyes (cf. II Cor.
9:6-8). While few of us are rich, all of us can participate in good
works of this sort in some measure.
This
then opens up a wide field in the category of good works, for we can
give our time, our talent, and our efforts to the Lord's work as well as
our finances, and there are innumerable ways we can "do good unto all
men, especially...the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).
For Us All
In
time past, rebuilding the temple was a "good work" (Neh. 2:18). Today
God's temple is found in the physical bodies of individual believers (I
Cor. 6:19,20), and in the Body of Christ (3:16,17), and so you would
think that building up believers and local churches would be good works
today. If ministering to the physical body of the Lord was considered a
"good work" (Matt. 26:6-10), surely ministering to the Body of Christ
would be as well. If the Lord defined "good works" as feeding the
multitudes, opening the eyes of the blind, and helping the lame to walk
(John 10:32), then surely "to feed the church of God" (Acts 20:28) by
opening the eyes of their understanding (Eph. 1:18) so they can "walk
worthy" of their vocation (Eph. 4:1) would be good works as well.
Since
"all Scripture" is given that we might be "throughly furnished unto all
good works" (II Tim. 3:16,17), then the reproof, correction and
instruction of the saints mentioned here must also be considered "good
works." Of course, it goes without saying that "if a man desire the
office of a bishop, he desireth a good work" (I Tim. 3:1). In this
passage, Paul is talking about the qualifications of a spiritual leader.
Thus if a man is interested in doing good works, we believe the
pastoral ministry tops the list of good works in which he can engage for
the Lord.
So
how about it, Christian friend? Are you walking in the good works you
were created to walk in? It is your only hope of a happy, fulfilling
Christian life. No creature of God is happy unless he is doing what he
was created to do. Birds were created to fly, horses were created to
run, and neither are happy when kept from doing what they were created
to do. Your only hope for a truly satisfying Christian life is to be
"fruitful in every good work" (Col. 1:10)! What's more, it is
the only way to please the One "who gave Himself for us, that He
might…purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14).
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
E-mail this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends
No comments:
Post a Comment