LAST LESSONS #96 – GOOD WORKS

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

For years this verse has been one of my favorites. Knowing that I was saved and being sanctified for the good works that God prepared for me to do before I was even born, I wanted to do those works. I wanted to please God, and by God’s grace, I was able to do some works.

Now that I am old (almost 93), a couple of other verses have taken the place of Ephesians 2:10. They are:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

“The Day” is drawing near for me, either by the Lord’s return or his taking me home to be with him. Either way, I know I do not have many days left to do good works.

It seems wise for me to no longer ask God what good works he wants me to do but ask him what he wants me to help others do. I have learned some lessons by doing good works that maybe the Lord wants me to share with others.

But first, what are “good works”? Theologians tell us that Jesus did “good works” and so did the apostles and other Bible characters. For our purposes I want to reduce “good works” as “good” meaning deliberately done out of love for God and others, and “works” as an action that produces something that you did not do before. It is a new thing you do that glorifies God and that can be done only by depending on God to accomplish it.

We don’t want to confuse “being” with “doing.” All of us are to “be” good parents, or good church members, or good citizens. But we are also to “do” something because we love God and others, so we take action and produce a good thing.

Here are a few examples of good works:

• A Christian organization like Samaritans Purse
• A Christian business like Chick-fil-A
• Christian music like the Gettys
• Christian art like Katherine Cook’s(!)
• A Christian classical school
• A new church
• A Christian book
• A Christian pregnancy center
• A Christian sports program
• A local food program for the needy
• A single mothers club
• A Rafiki Bible study for the elderly
• A mission organization like Rafiki.

I’m sure you can think of many good works you could do. Could I “stir you up” to do them? I believe that stirring you up is my good work at this time in my life. I am convinced that everyone who reads these blogs wants to please God. We look at our world today and except for knowing that God is in control, we are dismayed at what we see. Marriages need help, families need help, schools need help, many churches need help, and our whole country needs help. There are so many in our world who need to hear the gospel and be taught the Scriptures. Jesus said, “You always have the poor with you” Matthew 26:11. The needs are everywhere.

Your question is what can you do about the needs of others? My question is what can I do to help you do good works? Suggestions are welcome.

“The Day” is drawing near for us all. We don’t have much time to do good works.