BIBLICAL Good Works

Good works are expected from most denominations and religions for favor from God. But we need Bible answers we can understand to know the way to heaven, and what part good works play in Christian living.

The average person believes being good can bring them closer if not total assurance they will be accepted into heaven. But the Bible teaches not so:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

God’s grace is called a gift, so, by definition, it cannot be earned. Grace is the only means of salvation. 

But, really, people who believe they can do good works for their salvation are boasting though they may not willingly admit it.

Bettter than this -- let's look at what the Bible says we must do if we are to work God's works:

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

[Believing was too simple, they wanted to see a work done so that they could do the work: to approve of their own way of salvation!] Jesus went on to explain and to limit the only work that could save a man: It is only the Work of His Son that could save-- only those who believe in His Son can have eternal life!

Isa 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Good works is man's way to heaven – It is the only way he could ever hope to get there by himself, but he’ll never be able to unaided by God! If man could be perfect, he could succeed. However, his way is wrong:

Isaiah 53.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on [Messiah] the iniquity of us all.

And his heart is far from perfect:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? v10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Friend, God searches all hearts. He knows yours and mine. We must receive His way to Heaven.

Jesus is Good Works in the Flesh! He is God and only He is perfect enough to do good works to get to heaven. That is exactly why God will let you into Heaven– His Good Works can pay for your sins completely.

Then you will be a child of God. You have been created to do Good Works– but not to get to heaven, rather, because you’re going there!

--C. Pat Lanyon

Good + works

De 28:12 "The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

1Ch 28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God -- my God -- will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Ne 2:18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good work.

Job 10:3 Does it seem good to You that You should oppress, That You should despise the work of Your hands, And smile on the counsel of the wicked?

Ec 2:26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Ec 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Mt 26:10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.

Mr 14:6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.

Joh 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Col 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2Th 1:11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

2Th 2:17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

1Ti 3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

1Ti 5:10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

2Ti 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Tit 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,

Heb 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Matthew 19.16-22

22 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Most rich people are boastful by reason of their wealth. But Jesus tells us how to gain eternal life clearly with reference to a work He did.