Walking in Good Works

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

Here, Paul writes that we should walk in good works. Of course, the implication here is that good works are something we must be doing. They are something we have to do. The first couple chapters of James, as well as other passages, make that abundantly clear. But what may not be so clear is exactly what a good work is. Is it something that we deem to be good? Is it something that we think will have a good outcome? Is it something we decide on?A good work can be defined in this way: it is an action that is done with godly motivation, in godly ways, for a godly outcome.

Consider this: if we do something obedient to God, yet lack faith, then what good is it? It is a dead work, the same as faith without works is a dead faith. If we do something for earthly glory or fame, we have the same outcome. Jesus taught against this motivation for doing things. Even if the outcome may be good, if we do it for the wrong reasons, it is not a good work.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:2

Moreover, it must be done in accordance with what God wants. If we do something that seems to have a good outcome, but we have failed to accomplish it as God wants, then we have failed in performing a good work.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

The end does not justify the means. The idea that these people were trying to lie to God on the last day is somewhat unlikely. Instead, these people discussed in this verse seem to have thought they were doing good deeds, yet failed to do them as God wanted. The result for them was the same as though they had done nothing at all.

Likewise, we must be sure that the end of our action is in accordance with what God wants. That it is, in fact, good. Fortunately, we are given instructions in the scripture that tell us what we need to be doing, what good works we should be accomplishing.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16

And do not think that it is a matter of earning salvation. The Bible teaches us that we cannot do enough good to earn eternal life, but that it is only given to us as a gift, by God. Consider Luke 1:7-10.

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Obedience to God will, doing the works which God has commanded, are not earning salvation, but merely fulfilling one of our basic functions of existence. Just as a person would not keep a servant who did no work, so it is if we do no works. We must obey the Lord, and carry out His commands. We must do the works that God has told us to do, and do the actions that have been ordained. We must walk in good works!