> General Discussions
Doing "Good Works"
Kat:
Hi Doug,
--- Quote ---Is there any way to do things that churches do without being involved with a church?
--- End quote ---
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.
--- Quote ---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?
--- End quote ---
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
Dave in Tenn:
"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?"
There's the crux of the problem in answering. It's a struggle to know how to 'verbally' answer the question that actually DOES give glory to God and not to ourselves.
The scriptures you've referenced and many others set markers for us to compare ourselves to in our walk. We can't claim to love God if we hate our brother, for example. How God brings us to that point is something that may be shared. But, especially given our desire to move out of false tradition and phariseeism, the specifics of 'what we do to glorify God' have to pass an additional filter of 'What we do privately, God will reward openly, but what we do publicly (if we're not careful) becomes it own reward'.
God knows all our secrets. He also knows the motives of our hearts. We know its our hearts that have to be changed. Just as sin comes out of the heart, so will righteousness as our hearts are changed. I desire more than anything to be genuine. I want that more than being right.
With all that out of the way, Kat has the better answer. We have to obey God in the way He gives us, and as He makes it possible at any one time.
KristaD:
There are lots of people who need help and lots we can do to help other people. If you feel a call to help then do so, don't worry about what churches or other people are doing. Do what God tells you to do, you don't need any organization or group of people to be involved with your giving. Give from your heart, you obviously want to :), and don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, keep your giving a secret between you and God.
Stevernator:
Hey Doug,
There are opportunities out there with non-profits, homeless shelters, food aid etc. You can give blood, donate to an international aid agency (tax-deductible to be safe, see charitynavigator.org), drop off food or clothes at a donation center, mentor a toubled youth, etc. I don't measure up but here are some ideas to get you started. If you are near a major city then check that city out. And when you come accross a homeless person you can talk to them and ask them questions and show them some care rather than avoiding eye contact. Lots of people are frustrated about the world and feel helpless as what to do to help but there are ways.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
This scripture says to me that no matter what we do in life we must not harden our hearts to those who need help. I think to do this we need to be dying to our flesh.
dewey:
Hi, Doug
This is Dewey & Paula. We read your post early this morning and Dewey wanted to post right then, but I wouldn't type for him - the time wasn't right. I believe that you have asked a question that should not be answered by the members of this forum. Do you really expect them to cast away their treasures that they have stashed in Heaven just so that they can show you how good they are? HOW GOOD THEY ARE. Do you get it? I'm not trying to be insulting, Doug, but I don't believe that you've read the scriptures; and certainly not Ray's teachings. There's a really good chance according to scripture that if we, not Christians, but followers of Christ, were to testify to you of the good things we've done our treasures would be canceled out in Heaven. If Paula and I were to tell you all the good things that we have done (if we've done any), wouldn't that stand a really good chance of bragging on ourselves? That might be all the glory we'd ever get. So with that said, just imagine a zipper on our mouths.
I beg you to read these scriptures:
(James 2:18)
(Matthew 7:16)
(James 2:26)
(Ep 2:9)
(1 Cor 12:6)
(1 Timothy 6:20)
(Romans 11:6)
(Romans 9:32)
(John 6:28)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, Brother, here's the really big one. (John 6:28)
And then they asked Jesus what must we do to do the works God requires? (John 6:29) Jesus answered, "The works of God is to believe in the one he sent". (hallelujah) What does that come down to, my Brother? Faith and Grace. You can't have it unless you pray for it.
And now, then, last but not least, check out the post that Richard D. just sent and you'll see an example of faith and works and good deeds and trust and love.
Love 'ya, Brother
Dewey & Paula
goin' out on a limb for Jesus - 'cause that's where the fruit's at
Oh, by the way, Dave in TN = there is no best answer for this - it should have never been asked; and for saying that, I apologize. If there were a best answer, it would have to go to Roger. Think about it and read the scriptures that Roger sent you. In the love of Jesus Christ, don't be afraid to tell us what you think 'cause we're praying for your understanding of what we just tried to say.
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