GOOD WORKS OF A CHRISTIAN

A plumber shoud do good work when he is repairing the plumbing in a house or he will not be called back to do another job. This would be true of any tradesman or service worker. We would expect a car mechanic to do good work on our vehicle. This just makes sense.

Paul wrote to Titus, "Let our people (Christians) also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful" (3:14). In the same text Paul wrote earlier, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men" (3:8).

God's word equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Like the plumber, auto mechanic, doctor, teacher, etc., we will be good workers as Christians when we use our manual, the Bible, to guide us in our good works. For example Paul wrote, "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work" (1 Tim. 3:1). Another example is given when Paul lists qualifications for a widow to be taken into the number -- "well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saint's feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work" (1 Tim. 5:10).

There are many good works presented in Scripture for the children of God. The Father of heaven is not asking each Christian to personally do every one of them. Rather, He wants each of us to do what we have time and opportunity to do. Remember in the parable of the talents God expected the men who were given talents to use them according to their several abilities (Matt. 25:14-30).

The good works of Christians will be seen by others. But they should never be done to receive praise from men but rather to give God the glory (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:12).

Young men were instructed, "In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works" (Titus 2:7). The fact is God created all Christians for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). Christians are clearly people of good works that God has ordained.

By Ron Drumm.

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