Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Purpose of Good Works

UV 395/10,000 The purpose of good works Mathew 5 v 16 Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven The purpose of good works is not our personal salvation but to glorify God by substantiating in our goodness that we are His creation. Good works are not the root of salvation but the fruit. In the Old Testament, it is written that “ your good works are like dirty rags” before an absolutely holy God. Good works by itself are grossly insufficient to correct our lives with God or to justify ourselves. However good our works, we will still fall far short of His absolute standards of love and holiness. Good works are not intended to bring us a good name but in order that the Lord’s name be glorified on earth. It is not to earn brownie points with God or to impress people but to point people to God. It is a testimony to other people to trust in the goodness of God. It is an evidence that the faith tree that grows in us is a good tree and not an unfruitful or dead tree. When a person has sown, watered and nurtured a plant over the years and when it finally yields fruits, he or she rejoices over the fruit. Similarly, the Lord rejoices over the fruit of good works He sees in our lives. When we have the light of truth in us as against the deception of untruth, it cannot be held back or prevented from shining forth into the outer world. It is reflected in the fruit of the spirit which are basically character traits of the Father made manifest in us by the Holy Spirit. It is expressed through acts of charity and goodness towards people around us and particularly to the needy. We are expected to be zealous to do good works. When I was Superintendent of Police of a district I issued a direction to all police personnel working under me to do one act of service beyond the call of duty every day. There was a rich harvest of good deeds done all over the district. When I was transferred from the district, the district police gifted me with a beautiful rosewood picture of Jesus. Though I had not used words to express my faith, they realized that it was the love of Christ that inspired me. Prateep V Philip

1 comment:

  1. Praise God for your testimony that you keep sharing interspersed with the God given message. This makes it more pragmatic and practical. Such application as your personal testimony is so touchng.
    I fully endorse your point of view and agree that this is the best way to demonstrate to others the love of Christ.

    Our personal testimony in demonstrating our acts in charity does impact all others around us.

    Such a nice thought shared by you is an affirmation of the impact God's Word has upon all of us.

    Thank you, dear Bro Philip for not failing to pass on the daily message you receive through the Spirit of God.

    God bless you and your work.
    Samuel Abraham

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