Good works

Acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. He requires and enables his people to do good, although such is contrary to their sinful human nature. Salvation does not depend on good works, but leads to them.

Good works are characteristic of God

Jeremiah 32:36–40 See also Psalm 119:17, Psalm 119:65, Psalm 125:1–4; Jeremiah 32:41; Micah 2:7; Zechariah 8:14–15; Acts 10:37–38

Now therefore, about this city of which you say, ‘It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword and famine and plague,’ this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather My people from all the lands to which I have banished them in My furious anger and great wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them dwell in safety. They will be My people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.

Good works are unnatural for sinful human beings

Jeremiah 13:23 See also Psalm 5:9, Psalm 10:7, Psalm 14:1–3 parallel Psalm 53:1–3; Psalm 36:1–4, Psalm 140:3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 59:7–8; Jeremiah 4:22; Romans 3:9–18, Romans 7:13–23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good — you who are accustomed to doing evil.

God's people are encouraged to do good works

Galatians 6:9–10 See also Psalm 37:3; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Matthew 5:38–48 parallel Luke 6:27–36; 1 Peter 3:8–13; Psalm 34:12–16; 1 Peter 4:19

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

God is pleased with the good works of his people

Hebrews 13:16 See also 1 Peter 2:20, 1 Peter 2:15, 1 Peter 3:17

And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Good works will be rewarded

John 5:28–29 See also Luke 6:35; Romans 2:5–11; Galatians 6:9–10; 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out — those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Good works as evidence of repentance

Psalm 34:14 See also Psalm 37:27; 2 Timothy 2:20–21; James 2:14–21, James 2:26, James 3:13; 1 Peter 3:10–12

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Good works as evidence of God's grace in the lives of believers

2 Corinthians 9:8 See also Acts 9:36; Philippians 2:12–13; Colossians 1:10–12

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Good works are the purpose of the new creation

Ephesians 2:10 See also 2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Peter 2:13–15

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

Jesus Christ criticised for doing good works on the Sabbath

Matthew 12:9–14 parallels Mark 3:1–6, Luke 6:6–11 See also Luke 13:10–17; John 9:1–41

Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue, and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.