GOOD WORKS
(By Emerson Blythe)

TEXT: (Titus 3:8)  "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

On our sign is a slogan that says something like this: "YOU CANNOT BE SAVED BY DOING GOOD, BUT YOU CAN SURE BE LOST FOR NOT."

Today, we will try to see how this can be true.

OUR TEXT AGAIN:  "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."  (Elaborate.)

This day in time, we see many professed Christians who have no more good works than the people of the world!  
	Good works of morality.
	clean speech and clean living.
	helping the needy
	being neighborly
	active in the church.

Most agree that they should be doing good works, but they seem to think they can get by without them.  Our text says that it is important that Christianis maintain good works.

(Mat 5:16)  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

(Acts 9:36)  "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."

(Eph 2:10)  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

(1 Tim 2:9-10)  "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; {10} But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

(1 Tim 5:9-10)  "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, {10} Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."

(Titus 2:7-8)  "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, {8} Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

(Titus 2:11-14)  "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {12} Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; {13} Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; {14} Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

(Heb 10:24)  "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:"

(1 Pet 2:12)  "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA:
(Rev 2:2)  "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:"

(Rev 2:5)  "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

(Rev 2:9)  "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."

(Rev 2:13)  "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

(Rev 2:19)  "I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first."

(Rev 2:23)  "And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."

(Rev 2:26)  "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

(Rev 3:1-2)  "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. {2} Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."

(Rev 3:8)  "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."

(Rev 3:15-16)  "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

(Heb 13:16)  "But to do good and to communicate (help others) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

BUT, SOMEONE MIGHT SAY, I THOUGHT THE BIBLE TAUGHT THAT WE CANNOT BE SAVED BY GOOD WORKS.  

This is where our quotation comes in: "You can't be saved by good works, but you can sure be lost without them."

The Bible DOES teach that we canot be saved by good works:
(Eph 2:8-10)  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast. {10} For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

(Titus 3:5)  "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."

(Rom 3:20)  "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

(Rom 3:27-28)  "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. {28} Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

(2 Tim 1:9)  "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

(Rom 4:4-8 concerning works of achievement:)  "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. {6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

BUT THE BIBLE ALSO TEACHES WE CAN BE LOST FOR NOT HAVING GOOD WORKS.
(1 Tim 6:17-19)  "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {18} That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {19} Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

(Rev 20:12-15)  "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. {13} And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. {14} And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

(John 5:28-29)  "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, {29} And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

(3 John 1:11)  "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."

(Mat 7:21-23)  "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

(Acts 10:34-35)  "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: {35} But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

(Rom 8:13)  "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."

(Phil 2:12)  "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

(Rom 2:6-11)  "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: {7} To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: {8} But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, {9} Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; {10} But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: {11} For there is no respect of persons with God."

AND THUS: "YOU CAN'T BE SAVED BY DOING GOOD, BUT YOU CAN SURE BE LOST FOR NOT."

Why will good deeds not save us?  Because if we lived to be 120 yrs. old, and did good deeds every day that we lived,  we could not do enough to get us one inch off the earth on our way to heaven!

Jesus said, (Luke 17:10)  "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

AND WHY CAN WE NOT BE SAVED WITHOUT GOOD WORKS? Because the Lord came to save his people FROM their sins, not WITH them! (Mat. 1:21).

(2 Cor 6:17-18)  "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, {18} And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

SOME HAVE COME UP WITH THE THEORY THAT IF WE DO NOT "DO GOOD WORKS," WE WILL NOT BE LOST, WE WILL JUST NOT BE REWARDED AS RICHLY. 

As I said, this is a "theory."  They base this theory on a misinterpretation of a passage from 1 1Cor. 3.  (1 Cor 3:9-15)  "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. {10} According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. {11} For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; {13} Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. {14} If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. {15} If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

THE TROUBLE WITH THIS PASSAGE OF SCRUIPTURE IS THAT OUR "WORKS" HERE ARE NOT OUR "DEEDS," BUT RATHER OUR "CONVERTS."  Notice, He said in  V. 9, "We are labourers together with God; YE are God's husbandry; YE are God's building." 

He's talking about building on the foundation.  The only way we can build on to the church is to convert people to Christ.  

So in this passage, our "works" are our "converts."   Paul said in (1 Cor 9:2)  "...the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

And, again, (2 Cor 3:2)  "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:"

If our converts don't make it, we will suffer loss, but we will not personally be lost for it.

IF WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW CHRIST, WE WILL DO GOOD. (Acts 10:38)  "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

(1 Cor 15:58)  "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

(Gal 5:6)  "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

Jesus says, (Rev 22:12)  "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." 

James said, (James 1:25)  "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

CONCLUSION:
So, we cannot be saved by doing good deeds.  If we could, then there would have been no need for Jesus to come and die in our place that we might be reconciled to God.

But, we are treating the grace of God spitefully, and indeed rejecting it, if we make no effort to live in service to God.

And thus, our quote: "You can't be saved by doing good, but you can sure be lost for not."

Or, as the apostle Paul put it: (Titus 3:8)  "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

(Col 3:23-25)  "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; {24} Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. {25} But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

Are you ready to become a servant of the Lord today?

As someone said, "Working for the Lord: The work is hard, The pay isn't much, but the Retirement is out of this world!"