Reasons for Good Works

On Sunday morning when we considered the word of Paul in Titus 3:14, “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful”, I mentioned a book that provided 5 reasons we would do good works. The book I mentioned was What is the Mission of the Church, written by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert. Kevin DeYoung is the pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. Greg Gilbert is the pastor of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. I would highly encourage you to read the book as it will provide a valuable and very biblical look at the what the church is to be doing in the world.

Here then are the 5 reasons that we do good works with their associated texts:

1) We do good works to obey God, who we love. (1 John 5:3; 4:19)

2) We do good works because we love our neighbor. (Matthew 5:43-45; 22:36-40)

3) We do good works to show the world God’s character and God’s work. (Matthew 5:16; 5:13)

4) We do good works because they are the fruit of the Spirit’s work in us. (Matthew 7:16-20; Galatian 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:26; 2:21-25)

5) We do good works to win a hearing for the gospel.

Again, I would encourage to read the book.

One parting quote from that section of the book, “if we are Christians who’s love and compassion is aroused not just by physical and emotional needs, but also by spiritual needs, then showing the gospel will always be at the forefront of our minds. We will naturally and readily move toward it as we are loving other people.”

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