Over the last last few articles we’ve looked at multiple aspects of shining the light to the world. One final piece I want to discuss is its connection with doing good works through Christ Jesus. Relating the two together may be surprising to hear about, but it is part of what He desires from us.
We can know this from our passage that we’ve been considering for a while. In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us,
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. [15] Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. [16] Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Notice how near the end of our text there are two major reasons to let our light shine. One is related to people, the other to God,
- That they may see your good works, and
- Glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Today, people tend to downplay works that we do as Christians. I would even assert that they often discourage them, lest we try to “earn our salvation.” Of course, there is no way that we can buy, or earn, our salvation. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has already paid the price for our sins and given us a way to the Father through Him (John 14:6; Col. 1:9-14).
To say that we can earn our salvation is completely contrary to the Scriptures.
Yet, we must not focus on this teaching to the point of rejecting works in general as we go through this life. In fact, the New Testament encourages us to perform good works as part of our walk with God. For example, the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has a well-known passage that is often used to say that we cannot contribute to our salvation,
that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; [8] for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, that no one would boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:7-10
Usually, verses 8-9 are quoted by themselves to explain why works have nothing to do with salvation. And again, I will say that we cannot earn our salvation. However, when this text is shared, verse 10 is often left out. It is ignored. From it, we know that,
- We are His workmanship,
- We are created in Christ Jesus for good works,
- God prepared these before,
- And that we would walk in them.
It is through the work of God that we can have salvation at all. It is a gift of God and none of us can boast in what He has given us. Our transformation, or creation as Children of God is only because of Christ Jesus. Without Him, we could do nothing. Yet, now that we are in Him, we are to do good works. Not because we need to earn our salvation. As has already been stated, we cannot do that. Rather, because we were created in Christ for good works we should walk in them, as God prepared beforehand.
Such a perspective harmonizes with verse 10, the teaching that our salvation is a gift of God and not of works from verses 8 and 9, and with Matthew 5:16 where men are to see our good works that are in Christ Jesus.
None of which is about earning our salvation or trying to buy it. As I’ve already shared repeatedly, we cannot do that.
Perhaps some may wonder though, “Is this mention of good works an isolated occurrence?” No. It is not at all. In some of his later letters, Paul encourages women to be adorned with good works.
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, [10] but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
And again to Titus he writes about how we were saved according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, and not by works of righteousness which we did (Titus 3:3-7). This corresponds well with how we cannot buy our salvation. Still, after this good saying, he wants Titus to insist confidently that those who have believed God be careful to maintain good works,
This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; [9] but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:8-9
Having shared all this, we understand that good works are a part of a faithful life to God. But what is the desired outcome of these deeds? Hopefully, it is that the world sees our actions done in faith, and they glorify our Father in heaven because of them.
Finally, this concept is again reiterated through the inspired words of the apostle Peter where he writes,
Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, [12] having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:11-12
May we all seek to do similar behavior so that God is glorified today, and when His Son comes again!
Image Used
Hands of a Potter Shaping a Cup by LubosHouska from Pixabay.
James L. Hutton 