Good works and the gospel are the winning combo. Let’s team up!
When Mother Teresa and Princess Diana died within days of each other, it was evident that their lives had virtually nothing in common, except this: they both were known for doing good works. It was obvious from its response that the world still appreciates good works.
Isn’t it amazing how much of our Lord’s earthly ministry was involved in doing good works? He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), tirelessly ministering to the needs of others. And this was a pattern that the early believers followed. For example, “There was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha…this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds” (Acts 9:36). Her winsome ministry softened the ground along the Sharon Plain so that Peter’s seeding bore a mighty harvest. It could be the same today, couldn’t it?
We have rightly preached against good works as a means of salvation. They are non-meritorious. Although we should not give the impression in our gospel preaching that good works are a bad thing. Recall Cornelius, whose prayers and almsgiving had come up as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). Please also note, those who say that God does not hear the prayers of the unconverted!
We have also correctly opposed good works as a substitute for the gospel—the so-called social gospel. No doubt it is easy to get distracted by social programs that meet only the needs of the body and neglect the eternal soul.
But having said that, Ephesians 2 links salvation by grace apart from works with the following words: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (v. 10). The busyness of our lives, increasing isolation in society, and an assumption that governments (or social agencies) now handle the good works department, has neutralized one of our greatest assets for winning souls.
A young believer I knew, who was saved out of a very dysfunctional home, took as his key verse, “Love never fails.” He set about to win his hardened family with deeds of kindness. He looked after his debilitated father, bathing and shaving him as his father would curse him. But love never fails, and his father was won to Christ. His twin brother (who beat him unmercifully when he told the family he had been saved) was reached in prison. Then his sister. One by one they succumbed to loving works that opened their hearts to the Saviour’s entrance.
When he would take tracts door-to-door, he carried a trash bag to pick up garbage along the way, because, as he said, “They don’t care about my tract, but they do care about their trash. Maybe if I pick up the one, they’ll pick up the other.” Because love never fails.
I think half the saints feel disenfranchised. They find it very difficult to communicate the gospel to strangers. But they would be thrilled to show some practical kindness to a sick or needy neighbor. “These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8). And who is my neighbor? (I know the answer because I read the story.) Anyone who crosses my path who has a need that I can meet.
What happens when we do some good deed? “…they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). You must give the Lord the credit, of course; otherwise they will think you are just a good person. But Paul links good works with our fruitfulness! Is it possible that we are unfruitful in the gospel because we do not “maintain good works”? (Titus 3:14).
Our Christians should be encouraged in this (see article on 2:42 Fellowship). We need to “provoke [each other] unto love and to good works” (Heb. 10:24). Those who are rich (who isn’t rich in North America, relatively speaking?) are to be charged, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Tim. 6:18). When was the last time you heard that preached?
Widows over the age of 60 who have, during their married lives, been known for good works are a blue chip resource in the church. They should not, after their husband dies, be forced to eke out an existence. They should be financially supported to do visitation and good works in the community. So says the Scripture (1 Tim. 5:3-10).
“…Our Saviour Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14).