Good Works

"One who sees himself as everything, is fit to be guardian of the world, one who loves himself as everyone, is fit to be the teacher of the world"

In the teachings of Jesus, "good work" is often associated with acts of kindness, service, and righteousness.

Doing Good Works: In Matthew 5:16, Jesus encourages his followers to let their light shine through their good works: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This implies that good works should reflect one’s faith and glorify God.

Love and Service: Jesus emphasizes that good works are fundamentally about loving others. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus summarizes the law with the commandments to love God and love one's neighbor. Good works flow from this love and are seen in acts of compassion and service to others.

Parable of the Good Samaritan: In Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the essence of good work through the actions of the Samaritan who helps a wounded man, showing mercy and kindness beyond social boundaries.

The Judgment of Nations: In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the final judgment, where people are separated based on their deeds of mercy and service. He says that acts of kindness done to the needy, such as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, are seen as service to Him: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Fruit of the Spirit: In John 15:5, Jesus speaks of being connected to Him as the vine and producing good fruit. Good works are seen as the natural outcome of a life lived in close relationship with Christ: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

The Role of Labor in Spiritual Growth

Jesus made it clear that good works are not the means of earning salvation. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it is stated that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

This passage underscores the need for continuous effort in working out one's salvation, emphasizing that while God provides the will and the ability, human effort is crucial.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Paul highlights the importance of diligent work in rightly understanding and applying the truth of the gospel.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

Jesus emphasizes that mere verbal affirmation is not enough; active obedience and doing the will of God are essential for entering the kingdom of heaven.

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:24 (NIV)

The narrow door symbolizes the challenging path to salvation, requiring earnest effort and perseverance.

We Build God's Kingdom through Service

There is only way you can truly follow the Way: by serving others. Salvation is earned not given. God judges a soul based off many factors and the most essential component is good works. The most important part of learning the Gospel is living it. If we do not do good works then we are not living the gospel. In the gospel, Jesus often spoke of the need for labor in the spiritual life. His parables frequently illustrated the value of diligent work and its connection to spiritual rewards.

Parable of the Ten Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): In this parable, the servants who diligently worked to increase their master's talents were rewarded, while the servant who did nothing was cast out. This illustrates the principle that productive labor in God’s service leads to greater rewards.

John 6:27 (NIV): “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” Jesus directs his followers to labor for eternal things rather than temporary, worldly benefits, indicating that spiritual labor is essential for eternal life.

You can't say you love God but not love God's creations and His children. When I'm in service to someone and my attitude it about how I can bless another person or serve them or make their day better; when my mind is focused on someone else it is not focused on my wants, needs or desires.

No Man Can Serve Two Masters Matthew 6:24

When you focus on service to others, we can starve the desire to serve the Ego. If you can keep your mind fixed on serving others, you will drain the ego of all its power. There is nothing more powerful than holding the mind on to the divinity of other people's. By seeing the Godliness in God's children's and His creations you are living the Gospel of Christ:

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.

They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Jesus is teaching us the universal responsibility towards others, highlighting that caring for the least among us is not optional but a fundamental aspect of living a righteous life.

We are here to build God's Kingdom. We are not here to live in vanity and only for self-enrichment. If you are given the spoils of abundance you are thus entrusted by the Lord to use your abundance in service of the Kingdom. If you are given gifts and talents they are to be deployed to be of service to your community, to nature and to the Kingdom.

We are here to do good works.