Hi Doug,
Is there any way to do things that churches do without being involved with a church?
Why limit it to the church? Many organizations except volunteers that do "good works." But I understand you were just probably just using them as an example you knew about.
All who are blessed are called to a responsibility. Christian discipleship, membership in the kingdom of God, is a great responsibility.
Or has this verse also been taken out of context and we as Christians are not really responsible for doing any good deeds for our fellow man?
Indeed we should do good deeds every chance we have.
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you?
By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may have an abundance for every good work.
Col 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him,
being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly,
that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
1Ti 6:18 Let them do good, that
they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
As you can see by these few verses the Scriptures are replete with admonitions towards "good works."
I think God will provide opportunities for us to do good works and these opportunities will present themselves in different settings and in many different way. But not necessarily in an organized endever set up as such. Do we need to seek out the homeless or go into prisons or will there be many occasions throughout each day for opportunities to do good deeds. As believers our lives are being judged everyday by how we show love to our fellow man.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
mercy, peace and love
Kat