Good works

Good works are characteristic of God

Jeremiah 32:36–40 KJV 1900

And now therefore thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And 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 for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart 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 KJV 1900

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that 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 KJV 1900

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them 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 KJV 1900

But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

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

Good works will be rewarded

John 5:28–29 KJV 1900

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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.

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 KJV 1900

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 KJV 1900

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to 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 KJV 1900

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained 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 KJV 1900

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

See also Lk 13:10–17; Jn 9:1–41