GOOD WORKS (2)

“That you may WALK worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being FRUITFUL in EVERY GOOD WORK…” – Colossians 1:10a

Every Believer in Christ is called to be fruitful in every GOOD WORK: “That you may WALK worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being FRUITFUL in EVERY GOOD WORK and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col.1:10). This prayer of Paul for the Believers in Colosse reiterates how our WALK with God precedes our WORK for Him. Our Walk is like the root of a tree, our Works like the Fruits. The fruit is greatly affected by the nutrition of the root. As Believers in Christ, we have a choice to either put down our roots into the soil of the landfill of fleshly pursuits, or into the refreshing stream of the person of Jesus Christ, walking with Him.

The root bears the fruit. Our Walk dictates the worth of our Work. The closer we walk with God, the more aware we would be of how He works and of the needs of others, and be inspired to do His Good Works: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about DOING GOOD and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). Christ’s Walk with the Father was the secret of His going “about doing good,” being “fruitful in every good work.”

We’ve noted that Good Works do not buy salvation or our way to heaven. Good works are a result of being saved. Faith in Christ will get us to heaven; good works are a fruit of the faithful. Faith – the walk – is the root; Works is the fruit. Romans 7:4 says, “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another – to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should BEAR FRUIT to GOD. When we’re walking with the Lord, fruit will be evident in our lives. One who is not bearing fruit in every good work is either not a Christian or not walking in a manner worthy of the Lord.

The purpose of the Christan life – what God wants from us – is to do good for others, to His Glory: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt.5:16). Ephesians 2:10 reiterates the same truth: “For we are His workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should WALK in them.” Likewise, Titus 2:14 tells us that Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us for every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, ZEALOUS FOR GOOD WORKS.” And the Lord says in John 15:16a, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and BEAR FRUIT, and that your fruit should remain…”

The word “works” means “things we do” – our actions, deeds, or employment. Works is not some esoteric religious concept. We are always doing works – good, bad, or indifferent. Indeed, Galatians 5: 19-21 refers to “works of the flesh.” Good Works are simply actions that are good, and God is the Genesis of all that’s Good: “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was VERY GOOD” (Gen.1:31a). God is the Creator and Definer of good. The way He designed the Universe, good works ought to flow easily and freely from each creature. They are our duty to do (Lk.17:10); our “reasonable service” (Rom.12:1). But Satan distorted the fabric of the universe with his rebellion such that what is good can seem too hard, and what is wrong can seem so right.

Good Works are part of the purpose of both our creation and redemption. We have been doubly created for good works; first as we see in the creation mandate in Genesis, and then, recreated in Christ to do good works. We have the opportunity, privilege, and honour of not only walking with our Heavenly Father, but also to join Him on His Good Work.