Good Works

One of the ways we know we are pleasing God and doing his will is by showing a life full of good works.  

The following Bible verses focus on how we can do that.

We don't live for ourselves.  We were created for good works.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

The next verses gave me something to think about while I was preparing this.  Verse 19 caught my attention "take hold of that which is truly life."

In the context of Paul instructing Timothy to tell those who are "rich in this present age" he wrote,

1 Timothy 6: 18-19

"They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

We are all rich when you stop and think about it.  We shouldn't let our riches or attachment to this world interfere with missing out on "that which is truly life."  We need to be about the business of good works instead of storing up earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).  Serving God and doing good to others is of more value than anything we could ever attain here temporarily.  That is truly life.

It's okay for us to expect Christians to act like Christians.  If we are walking in a manner that is worthy then we will bear fruit that is pleasing to him.  It should be evident in the lives of Christians.  I might add to these verses in Colossians the reminder about the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5--love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (I didn't even have to look that up in Galatians, I just sang the song I learned years ago in VBS.  Are you singing it now in your head?)

Colossians 1:9-10

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worth of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Do you guys ever get tired?  We all grow weary.  Life is exhausting, but don't give up!  Keep planting seeds, watering and waiting patiently.  When we're tempted to give up and forget it all--we need to remember to hang in there.

Galatians 6:9

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Hopefully these verses will encourage you to stay the course and continue to seek opportunities to do good.  We're all given different talents.  You've been give the perfect set of circumstances to allow you to have unlimited possibilities for good works to honor and glorify God.  I can promise you that you've been an encouragement and example to someone and you didn't even know it.

Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"