What Are Good Works ?

[MB]

It has recently been brought up that good works are a part of Salvation. Some believe that with out which you really don't have Salvation. Even though Paul said this below;

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

So just what are good works? Spreading the word. Being humble when you do help. Helping others regardless of there back grounds. Helping to feed the poor. Loving others with brotherly love..Setting good examples for the young. Always remembering it could be you in the situation of those you help. These all sound like good works to me. These all earn rewards.
As I look back I'm not looking for rewards. Just wondering if what I have done for others is in reality good works.
Before I was saved I rarely ever did anything much that was good But after Salvation I was changed My attitude towards others.had become compassionate. You have to understand I enjoy doing things for people.

If these are good works then how come none of these things ever felt like work. And if they are to be rewarded I'm going to feel like I've been over paid

MB

 

[kyredneck]

It has recently been brought up that good works are a part of Salvation. Some believe that with out which you really don't have Salvation. Even though Paul said this below;

Paul also said this:

5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;
10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:
11 for there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law;
13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: Ro 2

My attitude towards others.had become compassionate. You have to understand I enjoy doing things for people.

If these are good works then how come none of these things ever felt like work.

GOOD FOR YOU! That's exactly the attitude depicted here!:

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Mt 25

 

[kyredneck]

If these are good works then how come none of these things ever felt like work.

Because the good works come naturally to the heavenly born:

13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified:
14 (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves;
15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them); Ro 2

12 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Phil 2

 

[Reformed]

Good works are the fruit of salvation, a purpose for which all Christians were intended to perform.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Good works manifest themselves to greater or lesser degrees, but they are commonly practiced on other saints within the body of Christ. We are to love one another (John 13:34) and bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). These things do not earn salvation, they are a consequence of the new birth.

 

[kyredneck]

Good works are the fruit of salvation

Good works are the fruit of the Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. Gal 5

'Saved' people are perfectly capable of sowing to the flesh and reaping corruption.

 

[HankD]

It has recently been brought up that good works are a part of Salvation. Some believe that with out which you really don't have Salvation. Even though Paul said this below;

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

So just what are good works? Spreading the word. Being humble when you do help. Helping others regardless of there back grounds. Helping to feed the poor. Loving others with brotherly love..Setting good examples for the young. Always remembering it could be you in the situation of those you help. These all sound like good works to me. These all earn rewards.
As I look back I'm not looking for rewards. Just wondering if what I have done for others is in reality good works.
Before I was saved I rarely ever did anything much that was good But after Salvation I was changed My attitude towards others.had become compassionate. You have to understand I enjoy doing things for people.

If these are good works then how come none of these things ever felt like work. And if they are to be rewarded I'm going to feel like I've been over paid

MB

Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

 

[Lodic]

One can't help thinking of the age-old controversy of whether we are saved by our works; of whether James 2:14-26 contradicts what Paul says about being saved by faith. When James says "can that faith save him" (v. 14), he is being rhetorical. The Word of God cannot contradict itself, so James clearly means something else. To echo what has already been said here, our works are evidence of our faith, but they are not a requirement to be saved.

 

[MB]

Paul also said this:

5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 who will render to every man according to his works:
7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life:
8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;
10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek:
11 for there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law;
13 for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified: Ro 2



GOOD FOR YOU! That's exactly the attitude depicted here!:

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Mt 25

Good works with out realizing you are doing them. Makes sense this is why I will feel over paid. Thanks for your nice reply.
MB

 

[MB]

Good works are the fruit of the Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. Gal 5

'Saved' people are perfectly capable of sowing to the flesh and reaping corruption.

Very true.
Evil is always there just waiting for us to mess up.
MB

 

[MB]

Good works are the fruit of salvation, a purpose for which all Christians were intended to perform.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Good works manifest themselves to greater or lesser degrees, but they are commonly practiced on other saints within the body of Christ. We are to love one another (John 13:34) and bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). These things do not earn salvation, they are a consequence of the new birth.

The whole reason I started this thread was that works do not save but because of being given a new heart. You then may find your self doing them with out thinking they are work. They just seem to come about because of the attitude change.


MB

 

[MB]

One can't help thinking of the age-old controversy of whether we are saved by our works; of whether James 2:14-26 contradicts what Paul says about being saved by faith. When James says "can that faith save him" (v. 14), he is being rhetorical. The Word of God cannot contradict itself, so James clearly means something else. To echo what has already been said here, our works are evidence of our faith, but they are not a requirement to be saved.

Before Salvation I wondered what kind of work would be expected. I could only think of some sort of drudgery or miserable task I wouldn't want to do. Then I looked back and found I was already doing them and liked it. Loving your neighbor isn't hard to do and it not only helps your neighbor it helps you too.
MB

 

[MB]

Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Thanks for the scripture Hank

 

[Lodic]

Before Salvation I wondered what kind of work would be expected. I could only think of some sort of drudgery or miserable task I wouldn't want to do. Then I looked back and found I was already doing them and liked it. Loving your neighbor isn't hard to do and it not only helps your neighbor it helps you too.
MB

Amen, Brother. Jesus provided the example of the works He expects us to do - take care of "the least of these". The story of the Good Samaritan is one of my favorites because it is such a wonderful example of how we are to "go and do likewise".

 

[kyredneck]

The story of the Good Samaritan is one of my favorites because it is such a wonderful example of how we are to "go and do likewise".

Amen!

12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. Mt 7

8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. Ro 13

 

[Lodic]

Amen!

12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. Mt 7

8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. Ro 13

It's truly amazing that our works are, simply put, to obey the Commandments.

 

[tyndale1946]

It's truly amazing that our works are, simply put, to obey the Commandments.

I have others who don't believe as I do ask well don't you believe that you need to do good works to be saved?... No!... I don't do good works to be saved!... I do good works because I am!... Brother Glen

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

[Lodic]

I have others who don't believe as I do ask well don't you believe that you need to do good works to be saved?... No!... I don't do good works to be saved!... I do good works because I am!... Brother Glen

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus didn't go to the Cross because He had to, but because He wanted to. Can we do any less for those in need?

 

[tyndale1946]

Jesus didn't go to the Cross because He had to, but because He wanted to. Can we do any less for those in need?

Reminds me of a song I use to lead in church... Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone... Brother Glen

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No there's a cross for everyone,
And there's a cross for me.

 

[Lodic]

Reminds me of a song I use to lead in church... Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone... Brother Glen

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No there's a cross for everyone,
And there's a cross for me.

As much as I really love the old hymns, I don't think I'd ever heard that song, but I will look for it on YouTube. Thank you.
Also, I really admire the "music ministers". It's a wonderful ministry.

Update - I just found it. I listened to it TWICE, it was so beautiful.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Before Salvation I wondered what kind of work would be expected. I could only think of some sort of drudgery or miserable task I wouldn't want to do. Then I looked back and found I was already doing them and liked it. Loving your neighbor isn't hard to do and it not only helps your neighbor it helps you too.
MB

1 John 5:3.