Walking in Good Works

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Here, Paul writes that we should walk in good works. Of course, the implication here is that good works are something we must be doing. They are something we have to do. The first couple chapters of James, as well as other passages, make that abundantly clear. But what may not be so clear is exactly what a good work is. Is it something that we deem to be good? Is it something that we think will have a good outcome? Is it something we decide on?A good work can be defined in this way: it is an action that is done with godly motivation, in godly ways, for a godly outcome.

Consider this: if we do something obedient to God, yet lack faith, then what good is it? It is a dead work, the same as faith without works is a dead faith. If we do something for earthly glory or fame, we have the same outcome. Jesus taught against this motivation for doing things. Even if the outcome may be good, if we do it for the wrong reasons, it is not a good work.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:2

Moreover, it must be done in accordance with what God wants. If we do something that seems to have a good outcome, but we have failed to accomplish it as God wants, then we have failed in performing a good work.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

The end does not justify the means. The idea that these people were trying to lie to God on the last day is somewhat unlikely. Instead, these people discussed in this verse seem to have thought they were doing good deeds, yet failed to do them as God wanted. The result for them was the same as though they had done nothing at all.

Likewise, we must be sure that the end of our action is in accordance with what God wants. That it is, in fact, good. Fortunately, we are given instructions in the scripture that tell us what we need to be doing, what good works we should be accomplishing.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16

Let us be about the Lord's work, and walk in good works!

United in Christ, and in Christ Only

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Psalm 133

There's a great movement in the religious world for unity. Actually, there has long been a plea for unity among people of different faiths. So what do we make of this? On the surface, the concept is appealing. And there is a plea in the Bible for unity. However, the Biblical notion of unity is often far different than what people want and seek.

The Bible teaches us to be united. But it teaches us to be united only in the Lord:

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:3

Paul instructed these two individuals to come to agreement. But not only were they to come to agreement, but they had to have the right basis for it. If they were of the same mind, but it wasn't what the Lord wanted, if their agreement wasn't agreement with Christ, then what good was it? They might be united in the short term, but the end of it would have been falling short of what Christ wanted for His followers.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Colossians 2:6

Our lives as a Christian can be described as a walk with God. We strive to follow Him and we strive to do as He would do. But we cannot do this unless we are in agreement with Him.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed

Amos 2:2

If we want to walk with Christ, we must be unified with Him. We must shape ourselves to His will. And of course, in this way we are unified with anyone else who walks with Christ. We must first unify ourselves with Christ, and then we find ourselves unified with others in the Lord. That is the basis for Christian unity. Not an agreement to disagree, not a willingness to overlook false teaching or error, not putting friendship with others above friendship with God.

True Christian unity comes only in being first united with Christ. That is the basis for commonality with others around us. It's something we all need to bear in mind. We can only truly be bonded together if we are bonded to Christ.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I John 1:7

Look Around!

People will occasionally remark that it's hard to believe in God. They'll sometimes make the comment that if they had been alive to see the parting of the Red Sea, or had been there at Pentecost, that they would surely believe! But without seeing the great things that God has done, how could they possibly be expected to believe?

Look around! Look at the ground you stand on, and the plants growing in it. Look at the animals roaming the Earth, swimming in its waters, and flying over it. Look up into the sky and watch the clouds. Look farther, and observe the sun, the moon, and the stars. Observe the cycles God has put into place, and how day becomes night, and then day again.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2

The Bibles teaches us that all of creation teaches the glory of God. After all who else but he Creator could cause a single rose to exist? Who else but the Almighty could set in motion the planets? Who else could have caused such great color and variety to exist? Surely no mere human could have done so, and the odds of it happening by chance are so remote that it's not worth regarding as a possibility. God's glory is seen in all creation. As we look around us, we can recognize the power of God. We can see the great power He possesses. And we can believe.

The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:19-20

Consider the wisdom of God in creation. He did not create things that could not survive together. He established the most basic laws of nature, of biology, of geology, and of natural cycles. It is because of His wisdom that the world continues. And this of course points to His great knowledge. He knows what His creations need. He know what His creations must have to survive. And He provides it.

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Luke 12:24-28

God know what we need. And He uses nature to show this. He will provide us with the essentials. This does not negate our own efforts, but that God has seen to it that we can survive. He will see that we have what we need in this life, and even more importantly, He has provided for us for eternity if we diligently follow Him. And we can see all of this in nature. God provides for us that with a glance around us, we can believe that there is a God, see how glorious He is, and begin seeking Him out. So take a look around!

What Kind of Tree Are You?

In the Houston area, we have Chinese Tallow trees. No one likes these trees. They grow rapidly, and they grow pretty much anywhere under pretty much any conditions. The wood is too soft to be usable for anything, and the trunk and branches are too thin to do anything with even if the wood was good. They don't spread out much, so they're not any good for shade. They don't produce any fruit. And they choke out the plants and trees that people actually want to grow.

We should want to avoid being this sort of tree, spiritually. The Bible often speaks of people in terms of plants, and it's interesting to note what sort of tree we should be. Psalm 1 speaks of the man who delights in the law of the Lord as being like a strong tree planted by streams of water. The tree yields fruit, and the tree does not die, but keeps getting stronger. Is this the sort of tree we are? Do we focus on God's word, growing stronger in it? That sounds to me like a pretty good type of tree to be!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1:2-3

In Luke 3:7-9, John warns the people that the ax is at the root of the trees already. When someone already has the ax out and has it at the tree, there's not a lot of time left for that tree. And John tells the people that every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down. Of course, he is not speaking of actual trees here, but of people. The fruitful, productive trees, like those in Psalm 1, will be left standing and will continue to grow. The unproductive, worthless trees will be cut down, and thrown into the fire. And there's not a lot of time to decide which type of tree we want to be. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Including our tree.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Luke 3:7-9

So what makes us a productive or unproductive tree? The fruit that we produce. That is how we can look at our lives and tell what sort of tree we are.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Do we produce the fruit of the spirit? Are we making ourselves useful in God's service? Are we proving ourselves to be good trees that are worth keeping? Or are we neglecting to produce fruit, failing to be the strong tree by the river, and have only the fire to look forward to? Are you an oak tree, or a Chinese tallow?

Would You Have Stood Up?

How much do we appreciate and value God's word? Our knee jerk reaction is to say, “Lots! Of course I value it!” But when we examine our lives, how much does it show? Do we truly place great value on it? Do we place as much importance on it as the Jews did when they returned from the Babylonian captivity?

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:1-3

Consider what is being said here: all the people gathered together specifically to hear the book of the law. Can you imagine a great multitude so eager to hear what God has to say? Can you fathom it in today's society? And then, when Ezra began reading the law, it wasn't a 30 minute or 45 minute sermon. He read from morning until midday. For hours he read from the book of the law. The people listened attentively! I don't know about you, but I would have a hard time listening to someone read for that long. But our interest in God's word should be so strong that we would willingly listen for hours, and would willingly study for hours to understand what God's will is.

And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

^{Nehemiah 8:4-5}

Not only did the people willingly listen for hours, but when God's word was opened, they stood up. That is a great deal of respect for God's word. In our society, we stand up for judges, for highly respected people, and to give standing ovations. Each time, there is a measure of respect in the action. Do we hold God's word in the same measure of respect? Would we have stood up for the reading of the law?

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:6

And then the people humbled themselves before God and worshiped. The word affected the people and worked in their hearts. Are we willing to let it work in us? Do we have the reverence for God and His word that we can react like this?