Works III - The Origin of Good Works

[PATrobas]

Reminders – Works III - Origins

            What are good works? How can we do them? Will we get rewarded for them? We’ve examined these topics lately and the role works play in God’s just judgement of mankind. Now we will look at what makes works good or bad, the source of works, and whether we are to judge our works.

            Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.” ^{Matthew 7:22-23} The works done ‘in Jesus’ name’ by these people, were ‘good works’ in the eyes of the world, but they were done by the will of their flesh. It is not the deeds themselves that are judged as good or bad, but God judges the source and motivation behind the works. ^{Hebrews 4:12-13} God says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” ^{Romans 14:23} Whatever God does through someone is a good work. His power. His idea. God revealing His will to us by hearing His voice, agreeing with Him, and then yielding to Him. In other words, by faith. When faith takes place in us, we are believing what He says and consequentially, He empowers us to do what He asks us to do. Jesus said, “But I say unto you which hear. Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” ^{Luke 6:27-28} These things are impossible to do in the flesh. God must do them in us. When He does, they are put to our account as good works. Good works are whatever is done by faith, and “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” ^{Romans 10:17} Jesus is our example. He could have done whatever He willed to do. Instead, He always submitted Himself to His Father’s will by faith.  He said, “I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.” ^{John 5:30} “but the Father that dwells in me, He does the works.” ^{John 14:10} Paul rhetorically questioned the churches of Galatia, “He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [does he do them] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” ^{Galatians 3:5} We aren’t to look for or try to do good things for God. Rather, God is looking for yielded vessels that He can manifest His power through, and be glorified in. ^{2 Corinthians 4:7}

            Final Thoughts: We must be careful in judging works. If we have hardened our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and are continually behaving in an un-godly manner, or engaging in questionable activities, Paul told us to examine ourselves to see if we are saved. ^{2 Corinthians 13:5} If we observe these things done without shame or repentance in others, then there are steps of correction that should be followed. ^{(See 1 Corinthians 5)} But if we get entangled in judging every motive or action as to whether the Lord has indeed directed it, then Paul said don’t do that.  “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged…of man's judgment: yea, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself…but he that judges me is the Lord.” ^{1 Corinthians 4:3-4} My business is to stay focused on what He is telling me to do, without worrying what others might be doing. ^{John 21:21-22} We are here to represent Jesus, “created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” ^{Ephesians 2:10} Let’s be attentive to His voice that reveals His will, and then walk in His good works.      _ph

[steve morrow]

GRIEVOUS  WOLVES 

 

WHY  SO  MUCH  COVETEOUSNESS 

 

PSALM 119:36  incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness

PSALM 119:24  thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors 

PSALM 119:138  thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful

PSALM 119:144  the righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting give me understanding and I shall live 

 

EZEKIEL 33:31  and they come unto thee as the people cometh and they sit before thee as  MY  people and they hear thy words but they will not do them for with their mouth they show much love but their heart goeth after their covetousness 

EPHESIANS 5:5  for this you know that no whoremonger nor unclean person ***nor covetous man *** who is an idolater***  hath any inheritance in the kingdom of  CHRIST  AND  OF  GOD

 

2 PETER 3:18  but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our  LORD  and  SAVIOUR  JESUS  CHRIST  to  HIM  be the glory both now and forever    AMEN

 

ACTS 20:32  and now brethren I commend you to  GOD  and to the word of  HIS  grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified 

 

HEBREWS 13:5  let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have for  HE  hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee

 

ACTS 20:29  for I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock

 

ISAIAH 32:6  for the vile person will speak villany and his heart will work iniquity to practice hypocrisy and to utter error against  THE  LORD  to make empty the soul of the hungry and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail 

 

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST

[AdHoc]

18 hours ago, PATrobas said:

Reminders – Works III - Origins

            What are good works? How can we do them? Will we get rewarded for them? We’ve examined these topics lately and the role works play in God’s just judgement of mankind. Now we will look at what makes works good or bad, the source of works, and whether we are to judge our works.

            Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.” ^{Matthew 7:22-23} The works done ‘in Jesus’ name’ by these people, were ‘good works’ in the eyes of the world, but they were done by the will of their flesh. It is not the deeds themselves that are judged as good or bad, but God judges the source and motivation behind the works. ^{Hebrews 4:12-13} God says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” ^{Romans 14:23} Whatever God does through someone is a good work. His power. His idea. God revealing His will to us by hearing His voice, agreeing with Him, and then yielding to Him. In other words, by faith. When faith takes place in us, we are believing what He says and consequentially, He empowers us to do what He asks us to do. Jesus said, “But I say unto you which hear. Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” ^{Luke 6:27-28} These things are impossible to do in the flesh. God must do them in us. When He does, they are put to our account as good works. Good works are whatever is done by faith, and “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” ^{Romans 10:17} Jesus is our example. He could have done whatever He willed to do. Instead, He always submitted Himself to His Father’s will by faith.  He said, “I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.” ^{John 5:30} “but the Father that dwells in me, He does the works.” ^{John 14:10} Paul rhetorically questioned the churches of Galatia, “He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [does he do them] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” ^{Galatians 3:5} We aren’t to look for or try to do good things for God. Rather, God is looking for yielded vessels that He can manifest His power through, and be glorified in. ^{2 Corinthians 4:7}

            Final Thoughts: We must be careful in judging works. If we have hardened our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and are continually behaving in an un-godly manner, or engaging in questionable activities, Paul told us to examine ourselves to see if we are saved. ^{2 Corinthians 13:5} If we observe these things done without shame or repentance in others, then there are steps of correction that should be followed. ^{(See 1 Corinthians 5)} But if we get entangled in judging every motive or action as to whether the Lord has indeed directed it, then Paul said don’t do that.  “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged…of man's judgment: yea, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself…but he that judges me is the Lord.” ^{1 Corinthians 4:3-4} My business is to stay focused on what He is telling me to do, without worrying what others might be doing. ^{John 21:21-22} We are here to represent Jesus, “created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” ^{Ephesians 2:10} Let’s be attentive to His voice that reveals His will, and then walk in His good works.      _ph

 

You have hit on a crucial subject here. Your sentence ...

Quote

It is not the deeds themselves that are judged as good or bad, but God judges the source and motivation behind the works.

... is the most accurate rendering of the problem I've seen.

It is not the works that are the subject of discussion but the authorization of these works. It is the WILL of the Father that has been trashed, not the works. The General has a war to fight. He has troops of varying ranks. The Corporals have decided on when and where to act. They have disregarded the General's sovereignty. The tactics and energy of the corporals may be right, but they have disqualified themselves by being rebels. The Corporal has no view of the whole battlefield. It is not given to him to make strategy. He has lost his value and ruined the General's plans.

Salvation is not the subject here. These men stand at a judgment Seat. It is "that day" - a day when we must give account. Only Christians can be in line for the Kingdom. You must be born again (J.3:3-5). You must be resurrected "when He comes" (1st Cor.15:23). We Christians stand at a different Judgment Seat - the "Bema" - a traveling Seat because we meet Christ traveling from heaven to earth (Rom.14:10, 2nd Cor.5:10). These men knew our Lord for they did the works in His Name. These men were Baptized for the works were supernatural (Act.2:38). Jesus does not deny the works. The words "do not know you" do not mean that Christ had no intellectual knowledge. The word "ginosko" means that that they had not been intimate (see Lk.1:34-35).

These men were fully functioning Christians. That they will miss the Lake of Fire is given. But they will not be found worthy of THE KINGDOM (Lk.19:17-19). In regard to the Kingdom It is; "Thy WILL be done on earth .... " The Father's WILL was NOT DONE.

[Cntrysner]

@AdHoc,Are you saying that the men Christ will tell to "depart from me" "in that day" were baptized by the Spirit, resurrected, born again Christians?

[PATrobas]

22 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Salvation is not the subject here. These men stand at a judgment Seat. It is "that day" - a day when we must give account. Only Christians can be in line for the Kingdom. You must be born again (J.3:3-5). You must be resurrected "when He comes" (1st Cor.15:23). We Christians stand at a different Judgment Seat - the "Bema" - a traveling Seat because we meet Christ traveling from heaven to earth (Rom.14:10, 2nd Cor.5:10). These men knew our Lord for they did the works in His Name. These men were Baptized for the works were supernatural (Act.2:38). Jesus does not deny the works. The words "do not know you" do not mean that Christ had no intellectual knowledge. The word "ginosko" means that that they had not been intimate (see Lk.1:34-35).

These men were fully functioning Christians. That they will miss the Lake of Fire is given. But they will not be found worthy of THE KINGDOM (Lk.19:17-19). In regard to the Kingdom It is; "Thy WILL be done on earth .... " The Father's WILL was NOT DONE.

I'm not sure about this, but I don't believe Judas Iscariot was a believer yet he did things as commanded by Jesus, being one of the twelve.

Mark 6:7 "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Mark 6:13  And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

If he did no miracles, I would think his partner would have noticed and brought it up to Jesus, No? We can't say for sure, but it would seem a glaring omission in Scripture if that had been the case.

I always did, and still assume that those saying 'Lord, Lord' were not saved. Interesting point though and I'll look into it further, thanks.

 

[LaMonte]

     Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

     These verses mean exactly what they say. On judgment day when unbelievers are judged for their Works (Rev 20:11-15). The unbeliever will bring all their good Works before the Lord Jesus Christ, they will remind Him that they prophesied, or cast out demons, or performed many wonders—all in His name. But their Works will all be in vain. Jesus will declare to them that He never knew you or acknowledged them as His own.

     When a person believes in Jesus Christ as Lord, he receives the righteousness of Christ just like Abraham did. “Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Not his own righteousness but Christ Jesus righteousness. 

     In Matt 7:21 the were trusting in their own works, NOT IN HIS WORK that’s why He never knew them.

      These men were False Prophets, “Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

[Desopixi Seilynam]

The will of the Father:

I will raise you up a prophet.... and it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto that prophet
will be destroyed from among the people.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19 [Acts 3:23]

Not everyone that says to me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven,
but he that does the will of my Father which is  in heaven....

Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine, (Matthew 5:20 - 7:12, Luke 6:27-49) 
and does not put them into practice
is like a fool that built his house upon the sand....
(because the will of the Father is that we listen to and obey Jesus)
Matthew 7:21-27

And they were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught as one with authority
Matthew 7:28

Whosoever transgresses (disobeys the Torah 1 John 3:4) , and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God.
Whoever abides in the teachings of Christ, has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you preaching and does not bring this teaching,
do not give him a greeting neither let him in your house lest you be partaker of his evil deeds.
2 John 1:9-11

 

 

The full context makes clear that Jesus was speaking about
people who actually do what He said verses people who don't.

"miracles" has been re-translated into "good works"
But the whole passage still makes clear what Jesus is talking about,
He is talking about actually doing what He said,
what He just preached in chapters 5 through 7, He wants the listener to actually do.

In various ways the message from the wolves is to have one disregard the teachings of Jesus.
They either tell you those teachings are not for us,
or that they are "kingdom rules" for later.
Or that they are too hard to follow.
The good news is what Jesus preached,
after His death and resurrection He told His disciples to go teach people His teachings:
Matthew 28:19-20.
 

Paul explains that the Holy Spirit empowers all who believe to live by love, the love that Christ taught. 
Galatians 5:16-24

 

If anyone preaches otherwise, and consents not to wholesome words
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine that is according to godliness,
he is proud knowing nothing
1 Timothy 6:3-4

 

He that does not love me, does not keep my teachings.
John 14:24

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ,
let that person be Anathema! Oh Lord Come!
1 Corinthians 16:22

 

 

[Sower]

On 7/26/2024 at 2:54 PM, PATrobas said:

It is not the deeds themselves that are judged as good or bad, but God judges the source and motivation behind the works. ^{Hebrews 4:12-13} God says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” ^{Romans 14:23} Whatever God does through someone is a good work. His power. His idea. God revealing His will to us by hearing His voice, agreeing with Him, and then yielding to Him. In other words, by faith. When faith takes place in us, we are believing what He says and consequentially, He empowers us to do what He asks us to do.

          

Good one, Pat. As I have become more aware of the Bema seat judgement the older I get, I've been reconsidering my own motives in the past/present. This is not so easy to do. Was it me, or Christ in me? Was I motivated by God's spirit prompting me, or self?

There are times I feel the need as I see the need, and I do not always consult God, or acknowledge him, but just do it.
Much of the works I have done can not be hidden or unseen working together. I have learned the wisdom in praying for enemies, those I don't like, that hurt me etc. In Christ have no permission/reason to be in flesh.

I would like to believe  I am on 'auto pilot' in most of my 'good works', as having maybe an instant desire pops up to help seeing a need. I do not always mentally say something like to God the glory in this, though later will thank him for the opportunity to help .

But I think/hope it is to God's glory in most any good work I do because if it hadn't been for God within me, I probably wouldn't have been moved or motivated to do it to begin with.
I think of times in my involvement, say at a church project, church voluntary army construction crew constructing class rooms etc.
Did I do a good work? I enjoyed being there, enjoyed using my talents as a construction carpenter.

And yes, enjoyed the satisfaction of a job well done and as seen by others, and the pat on the back is nice.
Like grandma enjoying to hear the grand kids compliment her cookies she labored over.

If I'm not careful I tend to over think it worrying about every motive.

From what I studied, the bema seat is a raised stage for the judge, and we believers will have our good works judged.
Wood hay stubble, silver gold precious stones. Works motivated by the spirit vs motivated by self for recognition.
Am I glorifying/praising God or glorifying myself. I remember  we are not judged for our sins there, but our works, good/bad.

What about those who did not receive attention as a child in their formative years and then needing reinforcement/approval doing many things to receive attention to fulfill their missing need? Not bad but not good?  My understanding is if we have received our rewards on earth for a good work, well then we won't receive it again at judgement. Not a sin but not a good work, our sins will already have been judged. God did not receive the Glory but I received it, and was recognized already on earth.

We have to be very careful not to do wrong things and sin, and, have to be careful when doing the right thing, for the right reason/motive.                 The necessity to take EVERY thought captive.....

A really neat book on this subject below on E bay less than 5-10 bucks, pre owned/used.

"The Judgment Seat of Christ : A Biblical and Theological Study"    by Samuel L. Hoyt  (The Bema Seat)

 

Thanks again Pat.  Glad this bema seat topic came up.

                          

                           "For we are His workmanship,
             having been created in Christ Jesus for good works
      which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples"

Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

                          “Every good and perfect gift is from above”

                               

                                                    Philippians 2:13

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose"

 

 

 

 

[PATrobas]

20 minutes ago, Sower said:

          

Good one, Pat. As I have become more aware of the Bema seat judgement the older I get, I've been reconsidering my own motives in the past/present. This is not so easy to do. Was it me, or Christ in me? Was I motivated by God's spirit prompting me, or self?

There are times I feel the need as I see the need, and I do not always consult God, or acknowledge him, but just do it.
Much of the works I have done can not be hidden or unseen working together. I have learned the wisdom in praying for enemies, those I don't like, that hurt me etc. In Christ have no permission/reason to be in flesh.

I would like to believe  I am on 'auto pilot' in most of my 'good works', as having maybe an instant desire pops up to help seeing a need. I do not always mentally say something like to God the glory in this, though later will thank him for the opportunity to help .

But I think/hope it is to God's glory in most any good work I do because if it hadn't been for God within me, I probably wouldn't have been moved or motivated to do it to begin with.
I think of times in my involvement, say at a church project, church voluntary army construction crew constructing class rooms etc.
Did I do a good work? I enjoyed being there, enjoyed using my talents as a construction carpenter.

And yes, enjoyed the satisfaction of a job well done and as seen by others, and the pat on the back is nice.
Like grandma enjoying to hear the grand kids compliment her cookies she labored over.

If I'm not careful I tend to over think it worrying about every motive.

From what I studied, the bema seat is a raised stage for the judge, and we believers will have our good works judged.
Wood hay stubble, silver gold precious stones. Works motivated by the spirit vs motivated by self for recognition.
Am I glorifying/praising God or glorifying myself. I remember  we are not judged for our sins there, but our works, good/bad.

What about those who did not receive attention as a child in their formative years and then needing reinforcement/approval doing many things to receive attention to fulfill their missing need? Not bad but not good?  My understanding is if we have received our rewards on earth for a good work, well then we won't receive it again at judgement. Not a sin but not a good work, our sins will already have been judged. God did not receive the Glory but I received it, and was recognized already on earth.

We have to be very careful not to do wrong things and sin, and, have to be careful when doing the right thing, for the right reason/motive.                 The necessity to take EVERY thought captive.....

A really neat book on this subject below on E bay less than 5-10 bucks, pre owned/used.

"The Judgment Seat of Christ : A Biblical and Theological Study"    by Samuel L. Hoyt  (The Bema Seat)

 

Thanks again Pat.  Glad this bema seat topic came up.

                          

                           "For we are His workmanship,
             having been created in Christ Jesus for good works
      which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples"

Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

                          “Every good and perfect gift is from above”

                               

                                                    Philippians 2:13

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose"

 

 

 

 

Thanks brother. Well said and thought out. Yes, the Bema seat of Christ is something we will go through and though we will suffer loss (wood, hay, stubble) it is primarily to receive a reward for walking by faith in those things He has called us to do. I understand that the gold, silver, bronze medals given the winners at the Olympics are awarded on the three tiered stand which is called the 'bema' stand.  Blessings.

[LaMonte]

1 hour ago, Sower said:

A really neat book on this subject below on E bay less than 5-10 bucks, pre owned/used.

     2 Tim 3:16 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.

     The scriptures is the only inspired book I know, any other book is only man's opinion. I look at all other books but the "Scriptures" as commentaries. The scriptures I read have no "copyright" it’s not own by man, Its free, just like Jesus, Apostles and the writers of the Scriptures they freely gave us the word. 

I read other books from Believer, but they are just books to me. I personally never recommend other books outside the Scripture. I personally don't think God ever fits His word to suit me; He fits me to suit His word.