Good Works

by DORRICOTT, K.O. | Category: Principles Of Church Growth | May 2002

We live in a world of specialist churches. There is an almost endless array for the Christian to choose from, depending on what aspect of service they wish to emphasize. To a large degree this is the result of our history. But a true New Testament church of God, in the Fellowship of God's Son, is not allowed the luxury of specialization. To uphold the scriptural pattern of the apostles' doctrine, it must exhibit all of the essential elements of God's truth. However, should 'good works' be included in the list of the essential elements?

An examination of the life and teaching of the New Testament churches makes the compelling case that good works are an indispensable part of the service of disciples in God's kingdom. A church of God that ignores this aspect of assembly life is not a healthy church - and therefore cannot expect to be a growing church.

God intends us to be a people who do good works

Titus was a man whom the apostle Paul was grooming for leadership among the churches. In Paul's epistle to him, he wrote extensively about doing good works and placed the matter squarely in the centre of God's purposes in saving us. He wrote: 'our ... Savior Jesus Christ ... gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.' (1)

It is often emphasized, and rightly so, that our works have no part in our obtaining the salvation of God (it is 'not of works' (2)). But this must not diminish the value of good works in our minds. God does not save us by our good works, but He certainly saves us for good works, and these should characterize our lives after salvation. After stating categorically that our salvation is not by works, Paul immediately goes on to state that 'we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.' (3)

Hebrews chapter 10 is notable for its disclosure of the marvellous privilege of collective worship in the presence of God for those in the house of God. It culminates in verses 21 and 22, where it says: 'having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near.' But, again, it is immediately linked with good works: 'Let us hold fast the confession of our hope ... And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.'(4)

This requirement for God's people to be characterized by good works was not new. Israel, as God's people under the old covenant, were also expected to portray the goodness of God in their behaviour towards others. Frequently God was critical of them for their failure in this respect. And finally it was the cause of their losing the privilege of having God's kingdom. The Lord said to them when He was here: 'the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.'(5) It's that important.

Our good works are a testimony to others

As other people observe us as followers of Christ, there is a lot they cannot see. They cannot see our spiritual relationship with the Lord, our faith, our personal prayer life in the secret place. But they can certainly see our works to others. It is the proving, the demonstration, of our faith. James wrote: 'I will show you my faith by my works.'(6) It is our good works that give us credibility in the eyes of others. The Lord's own ministry was based on this. He 'went about doing good.'(7) And the miracles of healing and other good works that He did gave Him an audience ready to listen to His preaching. His works prepared the way for His words.

Peter also knew the impact of our conduct on others. He wrote: '...having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.'(8) We do not know when God will visit people for their salvation, and will use the testimony of the lives we have lived before them.

The Lord told His disciples they were to test people by what they saw them do, not just by what they heard them say. He said in Matthew 7:20: 'by their fruits you will know them.' And He said in Matthew 5:16 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.' The works are the proof.

What are these good works?

'Good works' covers a wide scope of actions. Here are just a few very practical aspects:

1. Working for a living: We are expected to be self-supporting and not to be a financial burden to others, to the assembly or to society, wherever possible. Paul included this in his instructions to Titus: 'let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.'(9) Earning our keep is a good work that bears fruit to God. Paul himself set the example for this. He told the Church of God in Thessalonica: '...nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you...If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.'(10)

2. Helping others: God has given to us those who are dependent on us in various ways, so that we will have opportunity to help them. James referred to this: 'Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble.'(11) In the Church of God at Joppa, the woman Dorcas was a living example of this. Scripture says about her: 'This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.' When Peter arrived after she died, 'all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.'(12)

3. Helping financially: Giving money is an important aspect of our good works. God has not distributed wealth equally, either to individuals or to nations. The world's attitude is to keep what you've got, or at least not to give sacrificially. But those in churches of God are stewards of the money God has given them. Even in these days of numerous social and charitable agencies, which didn't exist in the first century, Romans 12:13 still applies: 'distributing to the needs of the saints.' When Paul first met the other apostles, the only instruction they gave him was: 'That we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.'(13) It was clearly a high priority.

Characteristics of our Giving

1. Proper priorities: Scripture sets clear priorities in our giving to those in need. Our own families are to come first: 'if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.'(14) Second are those within the churches, followed by all others in need: as we have opportunity, 'let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.'(15)

2. Enthusiasm: We are to be 'zealous for good works' (16), not reluctant or giving only by formula or duty. Ritual sacrifices in the Old Testament were part of what was described as 'dead works'. (17)

3. Consistency: It is to be the pattern of our lives, not sporadic or occasional. Paul's instructions to Titus included: 'in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works' (18); and 'those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.'(19)

4. Opportunism: We are to be constantly alert to needs around us. 'Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all.'(20) 'Remind them ... to be ready for every good work.'(21)

5. Generosity: Rather than having an attitude of 'how little can I get away with giving?' we are to give liberally. 'He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.'(22)

6. Selflessness: Anonymity whenever possible is important. We do not give in our own name, but in Christ's. We do not look for recognition or even acknowledgement. Sometimes a recipient may be reluctant to accept charity; giving it in the Lord's name, as coming from Him, may make it more palatable to them. The Lord said: 'when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.'(23) Paul said: 'whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'(24)

The Churches of God in Macedonia in Paul's time were healthy, growing churches. It is no coincidence that they were also generously-giving churches, demonstrating their faith by their works, despite personal poverty. Paul said about them: 'in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.'(25)

What an example they are for us in the churches of God today.

(1) Titus 2:13-15 (2) Eph. 2:8,9 (3) Eph. 2:10 (4) Heb. 10:23,24 (5) Mat. 21:43 (6) James 2:18,19 (7) Acts 10:38 (8) 1 Pet. 2:12 (9) Titus 3:14 (10) 2 Thes. 3:7-10 (11) James 1:27 (12) Acts 9:36,39 (13) Gal. 2:10 (14) 1 Tim. 5:8 (15) Gal. 6:10 (16) Titus 2:14 (17) Heb. 9:14 (18) Titus 2:7 (19) Titus 3:8 (20) Gal. 6:9,10 (21) Titus 3:1 (22) 2 Cor. 9:6-8 (23) Mat. 6:3,4 (24) Col. 3:17 (25) 2 Cor. 8:1-5

DORRICOTT, K.O. | May 2002
Principles Of Church Growth