PREPARED TO DO GOOD WORKS (last)

Good works are God's works

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first" (Mt 19.30). Jesus followed this statement to His disciples with a parable about vineyard workers who were paid the same whether they worked all day or simply a few hours. The lesson: it isn't the work, or amount of it, that matters, but rather how we go about doing the work that is important to God.

Many of us know Matthew 5.16, "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." But how can we glorify God by what we do if what we do would not be defined as good by God? Meeting temporal needs is good, no on will argue there, but is it good to God if it does not glorify His Name by helping people grow closer to Him?

Paul once wrote: "Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal 6.10). Why "especially" Christians? Think about it for a second: what one thing can Christians do for their brothers and sisters that no one else can? It's found in one simple word: edification (spiritual training). Only the Body of Jesus Christ can help the Body of our Lord, His Church, grow spiritually mature. Paul writes this about our good works: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col 3.17). Good works are not defined by acts like feeding the poor, going on missions trips, helping the homeless, teaching Bible studies, or helping old ladies cross the street. We "bear fruit in every good work" (Col 1.10) by letting Christ shine through our lives as we lead soldiers on patrol, parent children, teach teenagers, deliver pizza, finish our homework, or serve french fries. The problem is, most of us hide our lights under bushels while we work to meet temporal needs.

Prepared for the Fire

Just as surely as we must be trained to perform our earthly duties, the job or career we call our "work," so also God prepares us to do His good works. It's OJT (on-the-job training) that many of us avoid like we do tests or working on weekends! So how does God prepare us to do good works? "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for... training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped [or prepared] for every good work" (2Tim 3.16, 17).

However, did you know that there are certain types of people that are unqualified for good works? "They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work" (Titus 1.16). They say they are Christians, but their daily habits, lifestyle, goals, friends, and very lives do not match what they profess. Though they might do what others call "good," if their deeds do not train others in righteousness, then God calls them unfit for any good.

God tells us that our works will eventually pass through a metaphorical fire that will "test what sort of work each one has done" (1Cor 3.13). Our temporal deeds, be they good in the eyes of man or not, will burn in the fire of His judgment while or eternal good deeds-those through which God works-will result in our Heavenly reward. Are we prepared to do God's good works and not just those works which we call good?