Motives

The word of God says we can never be saved by good works, Ephesians 2: 8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”  

Before we had been regenerated or born-again through the Holy Spirit’s conviction and through the grace of God, it was said of us that our righteousness was of filthy rags.  Therefore, whatever we contributed to good works, even though we may have helped others, we can not tie to salvation in any way shape or from or we could say we contributed to being saved and brag on ourselves.  That is made very clear in the word of God, but what about the good works the Lord has for us to do after our conversion?

Please read Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

We are not saved by good works, but we are saved to do good works or for the good works that God has prepared for us to do.  This can cover a wide range of things.  He may want us to be teachers or evangelists or pastors or missionaries, or other positions in the communities (church).  There are many other things that we can do, which I believe would fall under the good works agenda, because everyone cannot fill these roles that I mentioned earlier since many would not qualify; but many could feed the poor or to take care of the widows and orphans or be a gospel witness or a doctor or a nurse or maybe a president or working in some other position in the government.  I would say he would want us to help our neighbors in various ways so that we may win our neighbors to the Lord and bring the Lord glory and honor and praise.  God has multitudes of things, for His people to do, think of this, God’s word says, if we give a cup of cold water to the least of these His brethren, we have done it unto Him.

Matthew 25:40, “And the King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'”

Proverbs 19:17, “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”

Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.”

Now please read Matthew 25:34-40, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Like I said, there are many things the Lord has in mind as good works for us to do.  We can pray and witness to people, but I think many people would rather see a sermon than just hear one anytime, because actions speak much louder than words, but people do need to hear the gospel so they will hear the truth and the truth can set them free.  

Now I would like to relate to our motives, while doing good works.  What is your motive?  Is it to bring glory to yourself or to God?  Is it haphazard or very structured and done with your whole heart?  Do you do what you do for popularity or for the pat on the back?  

Do you know that God’s word says this in Hebrews 4:11-13, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”   

Our intents, or our motives, are very important as we do whatever we do for the Lord and our works will be tried by fire and if burned up it will result in a loss of rewards.  We may ‘squeak’ our way into the kingdom but be embarrassed without any rewards to show for what we accomplished down here.  

I hope this has blessed and helped you.  I think we all need a reminder of these things now and then; I know I do.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!