What Jesus Said About the Poor and NeedySample

You were created for good works

There is an unhealthy fear among Protestants, especially Evangelicals, for the expression: “good works.” The reason for that is that through the centuries, the church often fell into the trap of using “good works” as a means to salvation. This means you must believe in Jesus Christ, but you must also do good works. But it is especially the good works that will assure you will go to heaven. This line of thought is unbiblical.

We are saved by grace, and our works don’t contribute to our salvation.

So, where does “good works” fit into this? Ephesians 2:10 says very clearly: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. Read the verse carefully: we are created for good works!

How do we reconcile the concepts of salvation by the grace, mercy, and merit of Jesus vs. being created for good words? It can be defined as follows: We don’t do good works to be saved but because we are saved.

Consider James 2:14-17: What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So, if it does not result in action, faith by itself is dead.

Obedience: To what extent did the gospel change your behaviour towards the poor and needy, broken and lost people?