Subject: Works
QUESTION: What does the Bible mean by the word “Works”. I was of the belief that we are not saved by works, but by faith. What is the truth?
ANSWER:
Here is the key verse:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. –Ephesians 2:8-9
The works being mentioned here are the kinds of works that one does personally of his or her own plan or design. If it meant every kind of work, how do we explain the very next verse?
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. –Ephesians 2:10
Clearly we see two kinds of works being spoken of or these would be contradictory verses. Notice what kind of works are being spoken of in verse 10---Works which have been ordained by God that we should walk in them. Therefore, not our own works, but His works.
Notice some key verses about works:
JESUS, OUR EXAMPLE:
How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was
with him. –Acts 10:38
Note: Jesus, our example, went about doing good works---Godly works.
GOD REMEMBERS...
But, beloved, we are persuaded
better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we
thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye
have ministered to the saints, and do minister. –Hebrews 6:9-10
Note: What, God remembering our works? What works? What is a "labour of love"? What is ministering to the saints? We will see this later.
WORKS BROUGHT INTO JUDGMENT
For God shall bring every work
into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or
whether it be evil. –Eccl 12:14
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. –2 Cor 5:10
Clearly we will be judged by what we do.
IN THE JUDGMENT WILL WORKS BE THE EVIDENCE OF OUR FAITH (that we read of in Eph 2:8)?
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. –Matthew 25:34-40
James 2:14-20What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? –James 2:14-20
Note: In Matthew 25:35-39, we are reading of Godly works. In James, we see that faith must include works---Godly Works.
WE SHOULD EXHORT OTHER TO
GOOD WORKS
Charge them that are rich in
this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to
enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate. –1 Timothy 6:17-18
Note: Paul is telling Timothy to charge the rich to be rich in good works.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. –Titus 3:8
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. –Titus 3:14
Note: Again Paul is telling Titus that we should be maintaining good works.
GOD IS GLORIFIED BY GOOD WORKS
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. –John 15:8
Note: What does "bear much fruit" mean? Could those be works? Could they have something to do with the works of Jesus Christ through us? Surely they do.
GOOD WORKS BY YOU ARE
DESIGNED TO LEAD OTHERS TO GLORIFY GOD
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. –Matthew 5:16
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Note: This is Jesus Christ speaking in Matthew 5:16 and He is saying that we should be doing good works. 1 Peter shows that when others see the works of Jesus Christ in us, they will glorify God.
CONCLUSION:
We are talking about two kinds
of works. This should be clear from all these verses. There are
works of men, of which we can boast (Eph 2:9) and there are the
works of God through us. One is saved by building righteous
character; the character of Jesus Christ. We are to become like
Jesus Christ. We do that by ONLY ONE MEANS:
We do it by the indwelling of the Spirit of God in us. We receive this Spirit of God at baptism. This Spirit in us produces (if we allow it to do so) fruit. These fruits are a thing called "principle"---Godly principle. Godly principles are ABOVE THE LAW.
God wants us to allow the fruits of the Spirit to be made manifest in our minds and in our lives. We do this by INVOKING the principle; that fruit of the Spirit. Let us see these things proved:
What are the fruits of the Spirit?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. –Galatians 5:22-23
Note: Notice that these principles of God, that apply to all situations, ARE ABOVE THE LAW. So, if you are invoking these principles (that is a good work) then you are above the Law. This is about as far from "Legalism" as we can get.
Example:
Honesty is a principle of God. It applies to all situations: personal, corporate, friendships, marriage, etc.
The purpose of the Law is to point man toward Principle. The laws that say, “ Do not steal and “Do not lie” are laws that point us toward the principle of Honesty. If you are being Honest then what good does it do for me to command you or remind you to not lie or steal. As long as you are being Honest, you are above the law. The word of God says so. Now should you slip and sin (lie or steal) the Law is there to direct you back to Honesty. You repent and turn back to Honesty. This is why we cannot do away with the Law.
Notice how there is no work or action required in keeping a commandment. However, to be Honest one must do something. People can see you being Honest, because it is an action. When you are Honest, it is NOT a work on your part because a principle or fruit of God is a fruit of the Spirit so you cannot boast about it. See the difference of what is being said in the scriptures about Works above.
Now notice how those works being talked about in all those verses are principles being invoked.
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. –Matthew 25:35
Invoking the principle of Love, Goodness and gentleness to name a few.
Now if you are still thinking that this is all wrong and that you can just do your thing just believing in Jesus somehow then you had better take a look at the rest of Gal 5...
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. –Galatians 5:19-21
Note: Sure looks like verse 21 says that if you do these things you will NOT be in the Kingdom of God. So how does one NOT do those things.
1) Replace them with Godly
principles.
2) Allow Jesus to manifest Godly
principles through you.
3) Repent and receive the Holy
Spirit which make this possible.
Notice these other two verses for Gal 5...
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. –Galatians 5:18
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. –Galatians 5:25
Note: You walk in the Spirit by invoking Godly Principles and by doing so, you have done a work of God or work of Jesus Christ and these works are required to inherit the Kingdom of God. These are the works ordained by God that we walk in them---Eph. 2:10.
For further reading, go to the booklet, "SAVED BY GRACE?" (Or is there something we must DO to enter the Kingdom of God?)