Works versus Dead Works

 Hi!

Have you ever wondered  what 'works' is all about in the Bible? I personally have heard quite some confusing statements about works. Lol. But I believe the Holy Spirit has given me an insight into what our works really are.

The Bible speaks of good works and dead works. Now, if there are good works, then it's not far-fetched to say there are bad works as well, right?

What are works?

Works can be defined as:

1. Proof of our faith in Jesus.
2. It is what we do that men see.
3. It is the fruits we bear.
4. It is our words, our thoughts, our conduct etc.
5. It is our (righteous) acts.
6. It is our deeds.

"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10)

Pay extra attention to the next Scripture:

"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?...Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead.

But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works. show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:14,17-18)

We show our faith by our works! Our works prove our faith. For our faith to be alive, it has to be backed up with works - the evidence of our changed lives.

"...who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14).

"To obey, to be ready for every good work..." (Titus 3:1).

Now this particular Scripture got me shouting "Wow, wow, wow!" See it below:

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work" (Titus 1:16).

This shows we do not only deny Him in our words or by word of mouth. We can also deny Him in works or in action when we consistently and continually violate His Word and  walk in disobedience. 1 John says that a child of God does not make a habit of sinning. 

When what we profess or say does not coincide with our works, then whatever we say means nothing but a big lie. Our words are expected to coincide with our actions/works.

"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his works are done in meekness of wisdom"  (James 3:14).

"...My reward is with Me to give to everyone according to his work" (Rev 22:12).

"I know your works..." (Rev 2:2,9,13,19 Rev 3:1,8,15).

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Our good works is the light we shine on account of the life of Christ in us. People will see this light and glorify God because of us.

Difference between good works and dead works

Good works is birthed by our faith in Jesus. It's something we should 'naturally' do or live every single day because of our transformed inner man (the  new birth).

Our good works should be a product of our new life in Christ. That means doing 'good things' won't save us. We can't please God on our own. We can't work our way into heaven by being good.

Dead works are those 'religious' things we do because we feel it will earn us a spot in heaven. It never comes from our hearts (our spirit).

Jesus has already paid the price. That's why we call it the finished works of Christ. All we need do now is to walk in the liberty of what He has done. We are purely saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and not by our works (by what we do).

You don't need to be extra good to be saved. Don't say, "I need to be in my best behaviour for God to save me. I need to help that poor person for God to save me. I need to pray 5 times in a day for God to save me."

No.

All you need to be saved is to believe in Jesus.

When you believe in Jesus (faith), then you will be empowered to bear good fruits (good works). These are the works that are pleasing to God.

Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them...A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." (Matt 7:20,19)