(Proverbs 15:3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Seven times, Jesus says to the churches in Revelation, I know thy works. I know thy works. I know thy works. I know thy works. I know thy works. I know thy works. I know thy works. (Galatians 6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. I would have to say that most times that these texts are mentioned, they are done so in a negative sense; in that of a warning that God sees and knows (Genesis 6:5) that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. You hardly ever hear it preached in a positive sense. Maybe preachers are scared of being misunderstood to be preaching a works salvation. Because it’s (Ephesians 2:9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. Maybe preachers want to be careful not to diminish God’s unconditional love for his children. But God does know the good, the good works, the good seed. Jesus said (Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. There is actually a tremendous amount of encouragement in the Word of God for us to do good works.
Good Works For Fruit
(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Titus 3:14) And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. Good works produce fruit; fruit for the Lord. And is what God desires. (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Jesus said (John 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Much fruit must require much good works.
Good Works Foreordained
(Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. It was God’s intent from the beginning that we should do good works. I’m not sure how before is before ordained. But I think it safe to assume that before the foundation of the world, before Adam recieved the breathe of life, it was already intended in the mind of God what we should be doing, and what type of people we ought to be. The plan of the ages, God’s masterpiece, the church, the people of God… These were set apart to do good works. So when you do good before the eyes of God, you are walking and living in an eternal plan conceived in the heart of God. It wasn’t your idea to do good. It was God’s.
Good Works For All Men
(Galatians 6:10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men. Tall order, huh? I can barely seem to do good unto my wife and children. Nevertheless, the order stands. Let us do good unto all men. Here’s my thought: God is holy and holiness is goodness. Hence, God is good. Now the bible commands (1 Peter 1:16) Be ye holy; for I am holy. Therefore, we must be good because He is good. And God is good to all men. Therefore, we should be good to all men. (Matthew 5:45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Now we’re not God and have not the power to move the sun and the clouds. But we could try to spread a little sunshine to all men, especially as we have therefore opportunity. And I think God gives us opportunity as he sees fit. Ordination will certainly result in opportunity. If He planned it, surely He’ll produce an opportunity to carry out His plan. Tall order? Yes. But it’s God’s order, therefore we should be looking for divine opportunities.
Good Works for All Women
(1 Timothy 2:9-10) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. And of widows, the bible says (1 Timothy 5:10) Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. Now I’m not picking on women. I think all of this list pertains also to men. I think all these things becometh men professing godliness also. It does put things into persepective though. These are the things that are important to God. Notice what good works are accompanied with: modest apparel, shamefacedness, and sobreity. Notice that good works involve people: children, strangers, the saints, the afflicted. When do we pray, “Lord, who would you want me to do good to today?”
God Works For the Man of God
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. This is the relationship between the word of God and the work of God. There is no separating the two. If the foreordained good works were conceived in the mind of God before the foundation of the world, we must seek to enter into the mind of God to obtain his will. That is what your King James Bible is for. It is the mind of God. (Philippians 2:5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. A man of God, if he expects to do the works of God, he must know the mind of God. Being more acquainted with the Word of God will certainly acquaint you with the love of God for all men. You are what you read.
Good Works For the Rich
(1 Timothy 6:17-18) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; God wants rich people to do good works. No doubt about that. We saw earlier: (Galatians 6:10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men. Rich people have a special opportunity to do good, wouldn’t you say? A preacher said at this past camp meeting, “Not everybody is a preacher. God saves rich people too!” Lester Roloff said, “I’d be a give’n while I’m live’n. That way I be a know’n where it’s a go’n.”
Good Works For Character
(1 Timothy 5:25) Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. This verse is in the middle of a lesson on how a person’s reputation precedes them, whether it be good or bad. There is something you have to be careful with. When one does a good work or gives, there is many times a desire to do it under the radar. In humility, you don’t want to put your name out there and draw attention to yourself. You don’t want ada-boys and accolades. And that’s understandable. But look at this verse above. It doesn’t matter how much you try to hide it, people are going to find out. It cannot be hid. God certainly sees it. And God don’t light a candle to hide it under a bushel. Trying to be humble is commendable, but you can take it too far trying to be the reluctant star. You can easily disqualify yourself from doing the thing God wants you to do because you’re to humble to let anyone see you do it. Your humility may lead you into disobedience if you’re not careful. It’s humility before God that counts, not man.
Good Works For Wisdom
(James 3:13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Have you ever heard this expression: Garbage in. Garbage out. This same chapter in Proverbs has two other verses that I want to show you. (Proverbs 15:14) The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. (Proverbs 15:2) The mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. A fool will eat up foolishness and spit up foolishness. Garbage in. Garbage out. Likewise, the wise man operates in the same manner. He eats up wisdom and knowledge, and what comes out is good works. So our good works are directly proportional to what we’ve been munching on. So it goes back to that other verse. There’s some things that just (1 Timothy 5:25) cannot be hid. Your works or lack of works displays to God and all men who you are and what you eat.
Good Works for Souls
(1 Peter 2:12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Good works procures no salvation for yourself. Ah, but it may be very instrumental in the salvation of the souls of others. If this be so, then let us strive not for just good works, but great works, and greater works. Jesus said (John 14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Remember that old hymn Let My Life Be A Light?
Let me live blessed Lord in the light of Thy word
Let my life be a light on a hill,
Leading souls now astray to the straight narrow way.
Help me do some good deed while I live.
Let my life be a light, Shining out through the night.
May I help struggling ones to the fold,
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and the low.
Let my life be a light to some soul
When God looks down and beholds the good and the bad, what does he see of us? (Titus 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.