Let’s Do Some Good Works…

Morning!

Raises his cup of coffee ☕

So we established yesterday that we are meant to increase our faith.  Peter teaches us that we do that by adding virtue to our faith.  And adding virtue to our faith results in knowledge of the Holy One.

So let’s start with some Scripture.

Proverbs 9: 10-12

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

And let’s add to that…

Proverbs 3: 1-6

“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

The prayer to increase our faith is a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit

to sanctify us even more than He already has— assuming we have been walking with the Lord.  We established this week that we are to pray without ceasing.

Prayer brings us closer to God.  When we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us.

We have also established that good works are something we are meant to do and continue in, as Paul teaches in Titus.  So it seems to me that good works are the next step that we are meant to take.

So what are we supposed to do?

As Solomon teaches, we are to trust in the LORD with all our hearts

and lean not on our own understanding.  We are to acknowledge Him in all our ways— and He will direct our paths.

So have we begun the process of acknowledging God in all our ways?

Scripture tells us to acknowledge God in all our ways— Not some of them.  Now, if you’re anything like me, this has been an interesting exercise.  Let me take a moment to encourage everyone to try chronicling or journaling to help with this.  Chronicling has given me an opportunity

to better remember the small moments with the Holy Spirit so that I don’t forget them.  Because, like we studied earlier in Exodus— The Israelites quickly forgot the Presence of the LORD, even as He manifested Himself in plain sight.  Many fell in the wilderness due to unbelief.  If the Israelites,

who witnessed the parting of the Red Sea with their own eyes,

struggled with belief— How much more difficult is it for us?

But also— How much greater is the blessing for those who believe without seeing?

I think it follows from our text yesterday that good works are part of the Sanctification process.  We are to add virtue to our faith.  And adding anything to our faith implies action.

How do we add virtue?

By doing something.

By doing virtuous good things instead of doing sinful things.

Now, it’s important to remember: There is no condemnation

for those who believe in Jesus Christ.  We are to be strong in the Grace of Jesus Christ.  But as Paul teaches, we are not to take our liberty

as an opportunity for sin.

Peter’s list continues.  We are to add temperance to our knowledge.  Another action.  Another chance for good works.  The list goes on.  It seems to me that everything we’ve been studying is leading towards doing good works.

So what does Jesus have to say?

Matthew 5: 13-16

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

So.

We are ready to add virtue to our faith.

We are ready to take action.

We are ready to do works with Jesus.

I thought it might be a good idea to take a moment to remind ourselves

of some important ideas while we’re getting started down our paths for the day.

While we are doing our works with Jesus, He teaches us that He sees us

as the light of the world.  It seems to me a good idea to remember

that Jesus wants to put us on a lampstand— That we are meant to give light to the world around us.

Maybe we’re having trouble figuring out what we’re supposed to be doing.  Maybe we’re caught in the dreamer’s loop— Thinking about how we can move this actual mountain in front of us

and cast it into the sea.  I always start with looking right around me.  I mean the immediate world right around me.  The Lord has put me here, right now.  He has caused or allowed everything in my immediate area

to be exactly as it is.  And right here—exactly where I am—

is where I am meant to be light.

This morning, my good work with Jesus

is typing out this post and preparing for the podcast.  But just a few minutes ago—  I was making breakfast with Jesus.

Trust in the LORD with all our hearts.

In all our ways, acknowledge Him— and He will direct our paths.

As He leads us down the path He has for us today— whether it’s talking with our spouses, making breakfast, or walking our dogs— While we are doing these things in prayer, Jesus sees us as the light of the world.  God wants us to take our everyday works and give them to Him.  He wants to do them with us.  He wants to glorify us as we do them.

But we need to be careful.

Matthew 6: 1-8

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.  Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.  And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.  For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, the they may be seen of men.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.  For they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Therefore do not be like them.  For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Jesus sees us as the light of the world— and it is His Light that we are hoping to reflect.  He teaches us in Matthew 6 that while we are doing our charitable deeds—our good works— the very works that Jesus wants to put on a lampstand— We are to be careful not to do them

just to be seen by men.  Our good works should be done because we love Jesus— not for the approval of others.

Because what happens when we do good works?

People notice.

When we do good works, people notice.

People offer compliments.

People offer encouragement.

Sometimes people offer flattery.

Good rewards come from good works— and part of those rewards is having a good reputation in the eyes of both God and man.  But how easy it can be to focus on the esteem of men.  Yet, Scripture teaches— We are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.  It is the heavenly treasures and heavenly fruit that we are to fix our eyes on. But above all— It is to know Jesus more and simply be with Him that I challenge should be our purpose.

Do we want to talk with God?

Or do we want the esteem of man?

The prayers we make in secret God will reward us openly.

For the final piece today I want to take a moment to introduce the idea of failure.  All of us fail in our good works at some point, if not daily.  Some of us more catastrophically than others.  But I’ve found, day to day failures can have the possibility of being discouraging.

Psalm 37: 23-24

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”

The Lord knows who is His.  He is the good Shepherd and His sheep hear His voice.  A sheep that hears its shepherds voice recognizes that voice.  It recognizes that voice even among a sea of voices and noise and follows the voice of their shepherd.  The sheep spends morning, noon and night with their shepherd and the dogs that help keep the flock.  They learn the paths the Shepherd has them walk, they trust in the shepherd when they don’t know the way and if they get lost they call for the shepherd to find them until they are found.

Pray without ceasing.

Rejoice always!

In everything give thanks.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart.

Lean not unto your own understanding.

Acknowledge the LORD in all we do.

So the LORD will guide our steps.

My suggestion?

When in doubt, open Scripture.