Good works

Good works are characteristic of God

Jeremiah 32:36–40 NASB95

“Now therefore thus says the Lord 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 out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety. “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. “I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away 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 NASB95

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good Who are accustomed to doing 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 NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the 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 NASB95

And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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

Good works will be rewarded

John 5:28–29 NASB95

“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a 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 NASB95

Depart 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 NASB95

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

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 NASB95

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would 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 NASB95

Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

See also Lk 13:10–17; Jn 9:1–41