Doing Good Is Not Wasted

God’s Grace is a wonderful thing. It is the reason we are all alive and dwelling on this Earth. It is the reason that, having no merit within ourselves, we could gain the inheritance of heaven through the sacrificial work of God’s Son. We are products of God’s Grace and Mercy.

Today’s Evangelical Church focuses on the miracle of God’s Grace. And for good reason, it is the crux of our faith. Many churches teach that faith is everything, and works are nothing. Through faith we are saved from death because of the Grace of God, and through faith in Jesus Christ we are justified because of His blood that was shed. But after our salvation we as Christians are called to perform good works, not as a substitute for faith, but because of it.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 5:16) The purpose of works is to glorify God, but also to orient men. Non-Christians watch those who believe very closely, even when they seem indifferent. They watch because a deep part of them longs to see that there is order to the chaos that surrounds them, that there is light among the darkness. Jesus said that we are that light.

Understand that it is OK to do good works. You are not negating the grace given to you. Works do not equal boasting. Be confident that God wants you to focus on doing good things, not as a measure of righteousness, or as a justification, but as an assignment that He has given until the day that He comes.

Doing good is never wasted when it is done in the name of our Father. Do good and orient a darkened world toward Jesus, then receive your reward with humility from the One who notices everything.