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The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people (Titus 3:8, ESV).
I’m not promoting religion through good works, but over 50 years of ministry, I’ve noticed that the following actions/works have been, or are being, done by believers I respect.
Which of the following have you done?
- Memorized Psalm 23
- Traveled on a short-term mission trip
- Tithed gross income for at least a year
- Can list a recent specific answered prayer
- Have prayed with someone to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior
- Have hosted guests in need in your house
- Prayed regularly for your church leaders
- Voted in elections
- Know the chapter where the Sermon on the Mount is located
- Read a book by C.S. Lewis
- Are a member of a small group Bible study
- Have a system to remember prayer requests
- Pray for government officials
- Worked at a food pantry or soup kitchen
- Confessed a weakness to another believer
- Laid hands on a person to pray for healing
- Know your spiritual gifts
- Have a testimony of victory over a particular sin
- Sought advice from a mature believer or counselor
- Thanked the Lord for your life recently
Below are two other passages on good works…
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10).
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
Biblically, the motive for good works cannot be to earn salvation, since we received our entry into heaven through grace. But when comprehending God’s grace to us, we become motivated to help others. Christian works bring joy and ease of soul because they are free of the burden of earning approval and full of “I just want to help.”
It’s our greatest witness to a lost world, loving others because God first loved us.
Questions for reflection…
- Which item on the list brought back a specific positive memory?
- Which item on the list did you find most challenging to practice?