Grace for Good Works
Study Text: 2 Corinthians 9:8
Introduction:
- The Bible describes GRACE as God's riches made available to us freely but at the expense of Christ. 2 Corinthians 8: 9.
- This grace of God is of two folds:
1. The Saving Grace : The grace that brings salvation to us through faith in the word of God. Titus 2: 11 - 14.
2. The Sustaining Grace: The grace that keeps us going in the will of God, and that enables us to do all that is expected from us as a result of our salvation, which is described as good works.
- So, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works. As we connect to the saving grace for our salvation, we need to connect continually to the sustaining grace, so that we can abound in good works. Ephesians 2:10.
- We shall discuss the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Meaning of Good Works
2. The Motives for Good Works
3. The Manner of Good Works
1. The Meaning of Good Works
- Good works describes a propensity or inclination to act beneficially towards others apart from merit on their part or without ulterior motives on our part.
- When we do good works without genuinely experiencing salvation by grace, or when we depend on our good works as a means of pleasing God, we are only displaying self-righteousness, which before God is described as filthy rags.
- Only a heart transformed by God is designed to be good and do good works as God is good. Luke 6: 45.
- When we are truly saved, we will share His passion to express benevolence and compassion to others. Good works will become our present nature and our future destiny, so much so, that if it is absent, our salvation becomes doubtful.
3 John 1:11
- As a sinner, you were not capable of works pleasing to God because you did not have the nature of God in you. A dead spirit produces dead works.
- As a Christian, you are capable of works pleasing to God because you have the life and nature of God in you, the Holy Spirit. A living spirit produces living works.
- Grace needs no works to make you righteous. But once you are made righteous, good works are the outworking and manifestation of God’s grace in your life.
- In other words, good works do not precede faith but follows it. Titus 2:14, Titus 3:8
2. The Motives for Good Works
1. The purpose of our salvation is to do good works. Good works are part of the daily Christian walk, as we engage in it, we are actually fulfilling the purpose of our salvation and of our living. Colossians 1:10
2. We are expected to witness for Christ and win souls to His Kingdom. Good works will brighten your light, and greatly enhance your witness to the world. Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2: 15
3. Every true child of God can be identified by the kinds of fruits he bears. Good works are part of the fruits that give you a reputation and an identity as a true child of God.
- We have the testimony of Tabitha that she was full of good works. When she died, the widows came out with evidence of her good works as a means of pleading with God while the woman must come back to life. Acts 9:36 - 41.
4. God will always reward the faithfulness of His people, both in this world and in the one to come. Good works are parts of being faithful to God, and will be rewarded. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Galatians 6:9, Revelation 14:13.
5. It is a great blessing to be a godly example and a positive role model to others. You can be a godly example to others by your good works and encourage them to do good works. Titus 2:7, Hebrews 10:24.
6. We are created to glorify God. Our good works are one of the areas our lives can bring glory to God. John 15: 8 - 9.
3. The Manner of Good Works
- Good works include everything thought to us and all instructions unto righteousness in the word of God that is necessary for us to live towards perfection in the sight of God. 2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17.
1. Living to please God, and producing the fruits of righteousness.
- The new life in Christ is an uncompromising evidence of our new birth. 2 Corinthians 5: 15 - 17.
- Our good works after salvation must begin in a live that appreciate the grace of God, in righteousness and true holiness. Titus 2: 11 - 15.
2. Living in peaceful relationship with all men continually.
- It is part of our good works in Christ to dwell in peace and maintain pleasant relationship in our families, places of work, neighborhood, in the Church of God and all around us. Hebrews 12:14.
- Whenever there is conflict, as children of God, we must not be the one that initiated it, and we must not be the one prolonging it, but rather be willing to sacrifice to end it. Ephesians 4: 30 - 32.
- We are equally expected to play the role of peace makers between conflicting individuals or groups. Matthew 5:9.
3. Giving to support the poor and the needy
- We must be willing to sacrifice to be able to support the poor and those that are in need, with joy, as the Lord supplies the grace. 1 Timothy 6: 17 - 19.
- We are to support both the believers and the unbelievers, but where choices has to be made, the believers should be given preference. Galatians 6: 9 - 10.
4. Given to support the work of God in Churches and to support the Ministers of God.
- As part of our good works, we must be committed to supporting the works in the Church financially and materially. We must be faithful to payment of offerings, tithes and special contributions as occasions may arise.
- It is the will of God to bless our leaders and ministers with money and material things as they bless us with spiritual things.
- All these must be done willingly and not grudgingly or out of compulsion, but it can also be done sacrificially. 2 Corinthians 8: 1 - 5.
5. Releasing yourself for the service of God in His Church
- Everyone must be willing to do one responsibility or the other in Church, either those that you are assigned, or the ones you volunteered.
- No one is left out, and no assignment is too low to be despised or underrated.
6. Commitment to witnessing and soul winning.
- The greatest assignment given to us by our Lord is to witness for Him and win souls to the kingdom of God. Matthew 28: 18 - 20.
- This, we must do faithfully as individuals and together as the Church.
