Good Works

I made a comment on Mike’s post the other day…

Back to the Good Works theme….
The Bible does seem abundantly clear, dead men/women can’t do anything. This includes saving themselves or doing “good” works that God recognizes. The Westminster Confession has a chapter on Works. It starts and ends with these paragraphs..

CHAPTER 16
Of Good Works

1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.
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2. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.

As for our purpose for Good Works.
Paul also wrote to Timothy this way…

2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We could use study and encouragement on just what are Good Works, much is covered by examples of following the 2nd Commandment, striving to be Christlike, and I personally think we have a set of works that includes sharing and teaching good doctrine, which Paul says is profitably mined from the scriptures, along with reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness!