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Doing "Good Works"

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Douglas Wayne Thomas:
The Bible-Truths forum has shown me that "organized religion" is flawed and teaches everything diametrically opposed to what Jesus taught. Is there any way to do things that churches do without being involved with a church? Are any members of the forum feeding the homeless or visiting people in prison for example?

      Can anyone give me some examples of how they are accomplishing doing the "Good Works" that give glory to God as written about in the following bible verse?

Matthew 5:13-16:

      You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? ... You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

      The Sermon on the Mount speaks of the response of those who are blessed. What is our responsibility? It tells us: ‘You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world’. 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? I am not being facetious here, I have some spare time occasionally and feel a sincere desire to help the less fortunate than myself. I just haven't read about anyone on the forum helping other people outside of the forum. I am not saying that good deeds are not being accomplished, I would just like to know how the membership of the forum walks the walk and not just talks the talk.

Seeking to do God's will always,

Doug

Kent:
If you are asking if there is any kind of organized effort, I can't say because I dont know.
But anytime things get organized, things go downhill fast. That has been my experience.
People start getting personal agendas and forget the reason for organizing in the first place.

In my line of work, I get approached a lot, by people that claim they need money.
I will not ususally give money, but I will buy for them what they claim they need. I keep the receipts. No refunds.

Sometimes I give them nothing. I don't know why I do that, but I do. There is no rhyme or reason why, that I can figure out, other than that is the way God wants it.

I will also give intangible help.

I also had some racist tendencies. No more. God took that away some time ago. Now I dont treat people based on their skin color or language. I walk the walk by treating people like people should be treated. I didn't always do that in the past.

Richard D:
Hi Doug.

That’s a good question. However I think the question points to free will which we don’t have.

I know Ray does not charge for the word of God he teaches and BT does not charge to belong to the forum.

If a person gives anything to anyone, who is doing the giving? Is it God that gives through the person or does the person give without God pulling the strings if you will?

Or can a person do anything outside of God’s purpose. But if I give and tell you I gave then I have my reward already.

I learned with Ray’s papers no one does anything outside of God’s purpose although we go against His will.

So I sum it up like this, if God causes one to give they give if God causes one not to give they don’t give.

I wonder what would happen if God removed His Spirit from the world, would we not all kill each other? I believe human beings are totally depraved without God.

                                       In His Love. Richard.

mharrell08:
1 Cor. 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God [laboured] which was with me.

Eph 2:8-10  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.


Hello Doug,

If you feel as though you have spare time to help those in a variety of ways, then go and do so. There is nothing wrong with that but why do you feel the need to know what everyone else is doing? What is your motivation: to compare yourself to others or to love one another as Christ loves us?

I count all the members here as doing good works by them fellowshipping with each other and lifting each other up. And members are not the only ones who read the forum; so there are many more people that any one of the members have helped someone in need with their words or pointing out scriptures.

The scriptures above speak about God doing the works through you which HE has ordained. Whatever He has ordained, we do. It is not an option as he inspires all of us to do what we do.

Hope this helps,

Marques

OBrenda:
So Far...

I'm trying to learn to hear what God would have me do.  It's my experience that just giving to win "brownie points" in heaven doesn't mean your helping.  In some situations to give money enables the other person to continue to act irresponsibly.  In the past I was prideful of my giving whether it was tithes or helping out a Friend. (don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing)

I haven't read a specific teaching on this by Ray, but I think our "mission field" is whom ever God puts in our path.  And not to lean to our own understanding how to help.  Another sin I deal within myself, is thinking I know what the problem is, and how to fix it.  ::)

I'm still a work in progress.

Bless your heart you are open & willing to serve, he will lead you!
Brenda

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