WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT GOOD WORKS?

James 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:22: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

1 Peter 2:12: "Have your conversation (manner of life) 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.”

Acts 9:36: “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” This resulted in her being raised from death.

Acts 10:1, 2: “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius . . . a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always . . . And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers AND THINE ALMS are come up for a memorial before God."

Men, even though this man was not born against at this time, his prayers and his GOOD WORKS came up as a memorial before God. I believe it is very important to be full of good works, firstly to our own wives and families, and secondly to our friends and strangers. Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Acts 10:38: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Jesus “went about DOING GOOD.” Most of us just “go about.”

Whatever was good, right, and appropriate for Jesus to do while here on earth should also be good, right, and appropriate for His disciples and followers to do.

Let’s pray that God will make us more observant and sensitive to the needs of others.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell