Have you ever been on the receiving end of a loving act that did not have to be done? I mean, the person acted toward you in love, open-handed, no strings attached. Years ago, in a particular work environment, a lady friend would leave an occasional card on my desk. Whenever I opened it, without fail, several bills would be snuggled inside. As the Lord planned, the love given came perfectly timed.

The story illustrates good work done and good work received. And then glory was given to God. Every religion on the planet expects some type of works-based redemption. But with my story, nothing was required from me. The kindness was given freely; no work was required. And that’s the same with God. The Bible says all He wants is our humble and remorseful hearts (Psalm 51). No works are needed; His love is freely given.

With the world’s religions, each believe to know the way to true peace, to heaven or some state of mind. But there is a requirement for the seeker. No religion offers salvation full and free. Conditions are required; a good deed or certain prayers, meditations, repeated practices to achieve goodness.

Born with a sin nature, every person needs mercy that only Jesus provides. No person can earn their way to heaven. Never, ever. But religion’s rules, guidelines, and good works do not save. They don’t even make a person good (Romans 3:10).

Why don’t works work? Because works don’t transform. Paul said, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Without Christ, we are dead in our sin. And we are doomed for eternal torment. No amount of works brings salvation. To be saved, one must cross over from death to life.

“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father. In John 14:11, Jesus replied,

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”

What is Jesus saying? Jesus is God. The works Jesus did were done by God’s power. The works shined light on God and brought Him glory.

The same is true today for all who know Him in an eternal, saving relationship. Our works shine light and give glory to God.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated in Matthew 5:16,

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Anyone who loves Jesus obeys him (John 14:21, 14:23). When you are in Christ, then God lives in you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Since God is love, then His power enables you to love others as He does. The works are evidence of an obedient heart, and shine the light of salvation into the world. But the works have nothing to do with gaining salvation! We do the works because we love our Lord.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:9

A Christian’s good works:

• Are done after salvation
• Bring light and life into darkness
• Reveal the Father
• Give glory to God
• Are done from an obedient heart of love
• Are planned in advance by God
• Do not save

To live and walk as Jesus did involves a daily surrender. Dependence on His life in you produces the good works He planned in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). The result is a life that brings Him glory.

Remember, salvation is by grace. There is no salvation in works based religion. We do not do good works to be saved. We do not do works to keep our salvation.

Our motivation is Christ alone who first loved us and gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2, I John 4:19). We are debtors. He did all the work.

Hallelujah!

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