The Purpose of Good Works for Christians

(By Pastor Mark Fontecchio)

Good works will not:

• Get you into heaven when you die
• Keep Christians from losing their salvation (which is secure)
• Prove that a person is truly saved
• Earn the love of God

Good works will:

• Bring glory to God (Matt. 5:16; John 15:8; 1 Pet. 2:12)
• Demonstrate your love for God (1 John 3:18; 4:19)
• Express your gratitude for your salvation (Col. 2:6-7)
• Please the Father (Rom. 8:1-8; 1 Thess. 4:1; 2 Tim. 2:4)
• Maintain fellowship and intimacy with Christ (John 15:10; 1 John 3:24)
• Allow you to look forward to the Rapture with confidence (1 John 2:28)
• Encourage others to do good works (Heb. 10:24)
• Help to lead others to salvation (1 Cor. 10:32-33)
• Strengthen your faith (James 1:2-4; 2:22)
• Assist in spiritual maturity (Heb. 5:12-14; James 1:2-4)
• Follow the example set by Jesus Christ (John 10:32)
• Fulfill the reason you were created (Eph. 2:10)
• Bring God’s blessings in life (Deut. 28:1-2; Prov. 10:6; Matt. 5:3-11; James 1:25)
• Prolong your life (Prov. 9:10-11; 10:27; 11:19; 12:28; 13:14; 19:16; 21:16)
• Deliver you from physical death (James 1:21; 2:14)
• Bring rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Rev. 22:12; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Tim. 6:18-19)
• Edify others (Rom. 15:2)
• Redeem the time (Eph. 5:15-16; Rom. 13:11-14)
• Stand in opposition to the enemy (Eph. 6:10-18)
• Bring praise from those in authority (Rom. 13:1-5)
• Silence the critics of the Christian faith (Titus 2:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:12)
• Promote peace (Rom. 12:17-18)
• Vindicate the death of Christ (Titus 2:11-15)
• Be profitable (Titus 3:8; 1 Tim. 4:8)
• Allow you to be rewarded by God (Rom. 12:2; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:7; 2 Tim. 2:15)
• Prove the will of God in your life (Col. 4:12; Rom. 12:1-2)
• Help prevent further stumbling (Prov. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:10)
• Show consistency with your identity in Christ (Eph. 5:3-4)
• Help you to overcome evil (Rom. 12:21)
• Bring joy in our faithfulness to Christ (Gal. 6:4)

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