The Role Of Works In The Life Of The Believer

Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

For many Christians, the only thing they know about "works" is that we're not saved by them. But works play a vital role in our Christian life. 

Though no one ever is, or ever has been saved by works, the Bible has much to say about the role of "works" in the life of the believer...

• We are saved "UNTO GOOD WORKS." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

  
  

  From the very beginning, one of God's primary purposes for saving man was to transform his life from wicked works unto good works. We are saved UNTO good works, not BY good works. Genuine salvation is intended to produce good works, good actions, good behavior, and good attitudes. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
  

• Good works bring GLORY TO GOD. (Matthew 5:14-16) 

  
  

  The good work we do as a believers is a "light" to this old sinful world. The believer's good works, when done genuinely and Biblically do not glorify the one performing them, but rather, glorify the Lord for Whom and by Whom they are done. Honesty, holiness, humility, kindness, Christian witnessing and service are all "works" that bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
  

• Good works are to be A BLESSING TO OTHERS.  1 Timothy 6:17-19, "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; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

  
  

  Over and over, the Word of God instructs us as believers to help others, be kind, friendly, and even love our enemies. This does not mean we have to feed all the poor, house all the homeless, or never take a stand for righteousness, but as individuals, we should "go about doing good" like the Lord Jesus did.

  
  

  Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us we must determine to be a blessing. My "good works" may "provoke" others to do good works. Good works are contagious and are a vital part of living the Christian life.
  

• Believers will be JUDGED by their "good works." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."

  
  

  Our "works" will be the subject of our judgement as believers at the Judgment Seat Of Christ immediately following the rapture of the church. Our rewards will be the result of the sincerity and earnestness of our works/service for our Lord. Love for our Lord and gratitude for our salvation is the only acceptable motive and will be rewarded accordingly by the Lord.
  

• "Good works" are the ONLY LEGITIMATE TESTIMONY of my faith.  James 2:18, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

  
  

  I can "say" I have faith all I want, but the only legitimate evidence of my faith is how I live my life. WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH... PERIOD!!! But my faith is displayed by my works. It's hard to believe that someone actually believes in the reality of Hell if they are never pointing others to the Savior from Hell. It's hard to believe that someone believes that God answers prayer if they never pray. It's hard to believe someone has been forgiven for their sins if they never forgive others of their sin. Our "works" carry much more weight than my "words." Someone has put it this ways, "your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks more than your talk talks."

  
  

  Our witnessing and soul winning has greater credibility when our living backs up our "preaching."
  

It is important to reiterate that NO ONE EVER HAS BEEN OR EVER WILL BE SAVED BY WORKS! I heard a preacher years ago say, "Dead works are any good works performed to make up for a bad work." The Bible makes this abundantly clear. However, works play a vital role in the Christian life. Let's be sure to "maintain good works" as believers.