Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Holy Spirit

What are "good works?" That answer is easy to say, but harder to understand. Good works are all those things that a believing and faith-filled Christian, a baptized child of God, does, thinks, or speaks in faith and love. Such works are not done to try to earn salvation or favor with God. Good works are done as a result of faith. Once a person has received saving faith, good works must follow, according to the will of God and done to His glory. The good works are specifically done for the welfare of our fellowman.

It must be repeated. Good works flow from faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Again in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

It is important to know that faith and works go hand in hand. Good works alone cannot save. Faith that does not create and motivate works of love is dead. We read this in the book of James 2:17-18, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do." This is true sanctification; when faith and works are alive and continuing in the life of a Christian.

Let us consider our sanctified life a little deeper. We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "It is the will of God that you should be holy." It is clear that it is God's wish and will that we must be changed people when we have been called and gathered to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. When the calling of the Holy Spirit has taken place in us, our lives must change. As children of Christ, we cannot and must not want to live according to the flesh, in sin, in the power of the devil. Paul explains in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." Our prayer upon coming to faith is like the prayer of David in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

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