Good Deeds

Do your good deeds outweigh your bad?

A lot of us think of a lady clothed in a flowing garment, holding up a balance. We all hope our good deeds side will weigh heavier than our bad. Some people are so sure of it they say things like, “I always help my neighbor.” “I never did anything bad to anyone.” (What a statement! No, she never did anything bad . . . just lied to me.) “I do this and this and this . . . .”

Jesus warned people not to do good deeds for the wrong reason. Look at this passage. (Good deeds are called alms.)

             Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 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. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:1-4).

The Greek word used for good deeds or alms has the meaning charity. They’re the things we do to help others—showing mercy, alleviating suffering, helping the poor.

We’re to do those works with no fanfare, no show, and if possible, in secret. They’re done for God.

The Bible helps us know about the kinds of good deeds we need to do:

• The Virtuous Woman helped the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
• The Good Samaritan gave us the example of meeting a stranger’s physical needs when he showed compassion on someone who was hurting. He also is an example of the lack of ethnic prejudice towards the victim beside the road. (Luke 10:30-35)
• Dorcas supplied coats and garments for widows—those who had financial needs. (Acts 9:39)
• The Apostle Paul told the Roman Christians to help other needy brothers and to be hospitable. (Romans 12:13)
• Paul instructed the Galatian Christians, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
• 1 Timothy 5:9-10 give us a list of good works: bringing up children, hospitality to strangers, washing the saints’ feet, and relieving the afflicted. (I love it that bringing up children is a good work, biblically! Yay, moms!)
• There’s another mini-list in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: doing good, being generous, and sharing.
• James, ever the practical teacher, says true religion is visiting orphans and widows and keeping ourselves from worldly sins. (James 1:27) 

What enables us to do good works?

• Abiding in Jesus (John 15:4-5)
• God’s grace enables us to abound in good works. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
• The Holy Spirit gives us good fruit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
• The new birth in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10)
• Prayer (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
• Purging ourselves of sin enables us to do what we should for others. (2 Timothy 2:20-22)
• The Scriptures make us complete and ready to do good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Good works accompany faith. (James 3:17) 

In religions, people try to make their way to heaven by doing good works. It’s a “great idea.” It makes people feel self-righteous, like they deserve heaven. Like they did it for themselves.

Pat themselves on the back.

But, God doesn’t see good works that way.

For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

It’s only by God’s grace that He chose to send His Son to die, so that He would pay the price for our many sins. He took the penalty for our sins on Himself. It’s a gift.

The only thing we do to be able to go to heaven is accept the Gift. We reach out and receive the Gift that Jesus paid for.

            Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life (Romans 5:18).

            For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

After we accept that gift, one of the evidences of salvation is the motivation to do good works.

No, they don’t gain us entry into heaven. They come out of a life that Jesus saved.

            As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).

Good works—out of a good faith.