Good works

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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.

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Good works are characteristic of God

Jeremiah 32:36–40 ESV

“Now therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.

See also Ps 119:17; Ps 119:65; Ps 125:1–4; Je 32:41; Mic 2:7; Zec 8:14–15; Ac 10:37–38

Good works are unnatural for sinful human beings

Jeremiah 13:23 ESV

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

See also Ps 5:9; Ps 10:7; Ps 14:1–3; Ps 36:1–4; Ps 140:3; Ec 7:20; Is 59:7–8; Je 4:22; Ro 3:9–18; Ro 7:13–23

God’s people are encouraged to do good works

Galatians 6:9–10 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

See also Ps 37:3; Ec 3:12; Mt 5:38–48; 1 Pe 3:8–13; Ps 34:12–16; 1 Pe 4:19

God is pleased with the good works of his people

Hebrews 13:16 ESV

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

See also 1 Pe 2:20; 1 Pe 2:15; 1 Pe 3:17

Good works will be rewarded

John 5:28–29 ESV

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs 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.

See also Lk 6:35; Ro 2:5–11; Ga 6:9–10; 1 Ti 6:17–19

Good works as evidence of repentance

Psalm 34:14 ESV

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

See also Ps 37:27; 2 Ti 2:20–21; Jas 2:14–21; Jas 2:26; Jas 3:13; 1 Pe 3:10–12

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

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

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

See also Ac 9:36; Php 2:12–13; Col 1:10–12

Good works are the purpose of the new creation

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

See also 2 Ti 2:21; 2 Ti 3:16–17; 1 Pe 2:13–15

Jesus Christ criticised for doing good works on the Sabbath

Matthew 12:9–14 ESV

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.