Dictionaries :: Works, Good

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Works, Good:

The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the better.

The objection has no validity. The gospel of salvation by grace shows that good works are necessary. It is true, unchangeably true, that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. "Neither adulterers, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards" shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Works are "good" only when, (1) they spring from the principle of love to God. The moral character of an act is determined by the moral principle that prompts it. Faith and love in the heart are the essential elements of all true obedience. Hence good works only spring from a believing heart, can only be wrought by one reconciled to God (Eph 2:10; Jam 2:18:22). (2.) Good works have the glory of God as their object; and (3) they have the revealed will of God as their only rule (Deu 12:32; Rev 22:18,19).

Good works are an expression of gratitude in the believer's heart (Jhn 14:15,23; Gal 5:6). They are the fruits of the Spirit (Tts 2:10-12), and thus spring from grace, which they illustrate and strengthen in the heart.

Good works of the most sincere believers are all imperfect, yet like their persons they are accepted through the mediation of Jesus Christ (Col 3:17), and so are rewarded; they have no merit intrinsically, but are rewarded wholly of grace.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Works, Good: Christ, an Example Of

Jhn 10:32; Act 10:38

Works, Good: Called

Good fruits

Jam 3:17

Fruits meet for repentance

Mat 3:8

Fruits of righteousness

Phl 1:11

Works and labours of love

Hbr 6:10

Works, Good: Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God

Phl 1:11

Works, Good: They Alone, Who Abide in Christ Can Perform

Jhn 15:4,5

Works, Good: Wrought by God in Us

Isa 26:12; Phl 2:13

Works, Good: The Scripture Designed to Lead Us To

2Ti 3:16,17; Jam 1:25

Works, Good: To Be Performed in Christ's Name

Col 3:17

Works, Good: Heavenly Wisdom Is Full Of

Jam 3:17

Works, Good: Justification Unattainable By

Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16

Works, Good: Salvation Unattainable By

Eph 2:8,9; 2Ti 1:9; Tts 3:5

Works, Good: Saints

Created in Christ to

Eph 2:10

Exhorted to put on

Col 3:12-14

Are full of

Act 9:36

Are zealous of

Tts 2:14

Should be furnished to all

2Ti 3:17

Should be rich in

1Ti 6:18

Should be careful to maintain

Tts 3:8,14

Should be established in

2Th 2:17

Should be fruitful in

Col 1:10

Should be perfect in

Hbr 13:21

Should be prepared to all

2Ti 2:21

Should abound to all

2Cr 9:8

Should be ready to all

Tts 3:1

Should manifest, with meekness

Jam 3:13

Should provoke each other

Hbr 10:24

Should avoid ostentation in

Mat 6:1-18

Bring to the light their

Jhn 3:21

Followed into rest by their

Rev 14:13

Works, Good: Holy Women Should Manifest

1Ti 2:10; 5:10

Works, Good: God Remembers

Neh 13:14; Hbr 6:9,10

Works, Good: Shall Be Brought into the Judgment

Ecc 12:14; 2Cr 5:10

Works, Good: In the Judgment, Will Be an Evidence of Faith

Mat 25:34-40; Jam 2:14-20

Works, Good: Ministers Should

Be patterns of

Tts 2:7

Exhort to

1Ti 6:17,18; Tts 3:1,8,14

God is glorified by

Jhn 15:8

Designed to lead others to glorify God

Mat 5:16; 1Pe 2:12

A blessing attends

Jam 1:25

The wicked reprobate to

Tts 1:16

Illustrated

Jhn 15:5