Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Outcomes
Good Works
Matthew 12.37: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

For all the clarity in Scripture, some believers remain confused about the place of works in Christian life. Many still insist that we don’t have to work as believers, that God loves us just as we are, and all we need to do is rest in His grace and give thanks. Since salvation is all of grace, Christian life must also be all of grace. And this is so, but this does not eliminate the call for us to work out our salvation and pursue good works unto the Lord. Indeed, this is why we’ve been redeemed (Eph. 2.8-10).

God has created us to be a people zealous, equipped, ready for, and devoted to good works (Tit. 2.14; 3.1, 4; 2 Tim. 3.16, 17). By our good works we demonstrate that our claim to “have faith” is true (Jms. 2.18-26). Good works, in even the most ordinary areas of life, can glorify God and convince others of the hope that is within us (Matt. 5.13-16; 1 Cor. 10.31; 1 Pet. 3.15).

We cannot overemphasize the importance of words and deeds in proving our justified status (cf. Matt. 11.19). Full faith, as I argue in our current ReVision series, is both the inward assurance that what we hope for is true, and the outward evidence of lives being conformed to the image of Christ (Heb. 11.1). Followers of Christ will emulate their Master by improving all their words and all their deeds toward His perfect standard. He is at work within us as we thus strive to work out our salvation, willing and doing of God’s good pleasure and transforming us into His own image (Phil. 2.12, 13; 2 Cor. 3.12-18).

In this effort believers must concentrate both on learning which words and deeds are good and on nurturing an inward disposition to goodness in their souls. And for this they must study to cherish –  treasure – that which is good and make no room in their souls for whatever is evil.

The study and contemplation of things good begins with the vision of Christ exalted in glory. His Law and Word, understood in the light of His Kingdom and glory, provide the next focus. The Law of God is holy and righteous and good; and the Word of God, including the Law, equips us for every good work (Rom. 7.12; 2 Tim. 3.16, 17). The good example and teaching of God’s people in every age, the good products of Christian culture (poems, literature, music, paintings, etc.), and the abundant goodness of creation are another level of focus by which we may both learn what is good and learn to love good things.

Learning and loving what is good will sensitize us to things evil and help us to hate, avoid, and resist them (Ps. 97.10). We must put into practice the good things we are learning, for practice exercises soul and body for maturity in the Lord (Heb. 5.14; 6.9-11). And we must be continuously vigilant against evil and unto goodness in our words and deeds (Eph. 5.15-16; Ps. 139.23, 24).

Thus we may expect, with the Lord’s favor and grace, to make the tree of our souls good so that we bear good fruit continuously unto the Lord.

We must not grow weary in doing good works (Gal. 6.9, 10), for by continuing in their pursuit, we will reap the fruit of full faith and abundant life in Jesus Christ.

For reflection
1.  What opportunities for doing good works await you today?

2.  Is your reading and study of God’s Law and all His Word sufficient to help you grow in good works?

3.  Meditate on Hebrews 10.24. How can believers fulfill this instruction with one another?

Pray about the people you will see today, and the work you’ve been given to do. Seek the Lord for specific good works that can glorify Him, then commit the work of your day to the Lord (Ps. 90.12, 16, 17).

Why not start a reading group? This can be a very helpful way of becoming a more interesting person. An excellent book to use in starting a reading group is T. M.’s The Ground for Christian Ethics. It’s brief, conversational, and deals with foundational ideas relating to how we are to follow Jesus as His disciples. Order your copy by clicking here.

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.