True Christians are hard working people. They are never lazy. They do honest work to take care of themselves, and they work hard for God. Christ's church is a working church. It is not a society that meets to enjoy pleasures. It is Christian people who willingly work for God. A lazy man will be a failure as a Christian.

The New Testament has much to say about doing good works. While Christians must do good works, they also must understand the purpose of good works. A person cannot EARN salvation by good works. Salvation comes from God's grace as a gift from God to people who have an obedient faith (Ephesians 2:8,9). Christians do not do good works to earn salvation. They do good works to show their love to God who has forgiven their sins. Good works show the Christian's love and appreciation to God for forgiveness and salvation.

Are good works necessary? Yes! God saved us, made us Christians in order for us to do His own good works (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus died for us in order that he might have his own people who are "zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). Those who believe in God must be careful to maintain (continue) good works (Titus 3:8). Read James 1:22-25. People who listen to God's word but do not do God's teachings lie to themselves. Those who hear the word but refuse to do it are like a man who looks in a mirror and sees his dirty face, but then forgets to wash off the dirt. That man received no benefit from looking into the mirror. Those who are hearers only receive no benefit from hearing. It is the man who is a doer of the word that shall be blessed.

Jesus gave strong teaching on the importance of doing works. Read Matthew 25:34-46. Jesus shows plainly that part of our judgment before God will be determined by the good we do for others. Those who refuse to do good for others shall surely be condemned.

Christians enjoy doing good works. They will continue to do good works for three reasons:

1. They know God will not forget their works (Hebrews 6:10).
2. They know their work is not in vain - it is not for nothing (I Corinthians 15:58).
3. They know they shall harvest the fruit of their works (Galatians 6:9).

Do not fear to work for the Lord. The Lord is a fine Master - He cares for His workers properly.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. True Christians are what kind of people?

2. The church must be what kind of church?

3. Christians do NOT do good works for what wrong purpose?

4. For what proper reason do Christians do good works?

5. Tell how Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14, and Titus 3:8 show that good works are necessary.

6. In James 1:22-25 James says what people deceive themselves? Who shall be blessed?

7. In Matthew 25:34-46, what did Jesus teach about the importance of doing good to others?

8. What 3 reasons do Christians have for continuing to do good works?

previous lesson | table of contents | next lesson