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Where Do Good Works Fit In?

Where do good works fit into a person's life? Before answering where, we should consider what — what is a good work or a good deed? To most people, a good deed is doing something nice for other people or helping a particular cause, whether by giving money or donating one's time and/or talent. Such efforts often fulfill a pertinent need. Perhaps, however, we should consider what the worth of a good deed is, in and of itself.

A great many people believe that doing good works is a way to win favor with God. These good works come in different forms depending on the culture, religion, and time period. Some ancient civilizations even went as far as sacrificing their own children to the god of their particular culture, in hopes of winning a war, ending a drought, halting a disease, or preventing a famine. While child sacrifice is not generally practiced today, people still strive to "earn points" with God by doing good works. Or, perhaps they do good deeds out of guilt. Either motive is unacceptable to God.

At the root of the problem is a misunderstanding of God's character and ways. Many people think that God is keeping track of a person's good deeds as well as their sins. These people think that if the good deeds outweigh their sins, God will allow them entrance to Heaven when they die. This is what I used to think. Such a notion, however, is a complete contradiction of the Bible. Ephesians 2:8-9 states,

For by grace you have been saved [from judgment and hell] through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed,

"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…" Isaiah 64:6

Here's what Psalm 14 has to say on the subject:

The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." Psalm 14:2-3

So much for winning God's favor with our good deeds. That is impossible! However, once a person has accepted salvation through Christ, good works are to be a very important part of his new life! In the book of Ephesians, we're told,

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10

There are two very important points in this verse, which should clarify where good works fit in:

1. We must have been "created in Christ Jesus" in order for our works to be acceptable to God. For humans, to be created is to be born. To be created in Christ Jesus is to be born again. The first birth is physical, the second is spiritual. Being born again is synonymous with being saved. (Jesus speaks about this re-birth in the third chapter of John's Gospel.)
2. The only works that are acceptable to God are the ones He prepared in advance for us to do—those which we do in response to His will. These works are not performed out of guilt or fear, but out of joyful love for God. In fact, those who have been saved are already in God's favor—they cannot and need not earn it! What joy it is to serve God out of love!

How can you know which good works are ordained by God? You can't, unless you're created in Christ Jesus. Only then can you begin to understand what is truly valuable to God. In fact, your whole perspective on life changes. Christ becomes the center of your life and you trade your agenda for God's. You come to know His will through the Bible, which is perfect in every way, and you find delight in following God's ways and fulfilling His purposes.

When a person tries to do good works, with the intention of winning God's favor, he is putting the cart before the horse. He will find himself on a treadmill of futility. However, when you allow God to create you anew in Christ Jesus, your life and service will be fulfilling and joyous!