Discipleship REVAMPED

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP — Jabe Nicholson — A Helping Hand: Chapter Target Just as Jesus “went about doing good”, we need to train others to do the same so that Christ’s reflec- tive light can shine through us into this dark world. When I was a boy, the most common stantly, that those who have believed in word association I had with “good God should be careful to maintain good works” was “filthy rags”. How true it is: works,” 3:8, — good works as a lifestyle. good works can’t cancel out bad deeds, nor be traded for eternal life. But, while THE ULTIMATE we cannot work our way to heaven, we EXAMPLE ought to work on our way to heaven.  Q: Doing good works is expected in I was already in adulthood when I the Christian’s life. Where can we noticed the Bible’s emphasis on believers’ look to for an example in doing this? good works. At first, I only thought about doing good, until I discovered that God The Lord is our Exemplar. “God doesn’t answer daydreams; He answers prayers. In daydreams, I was the hero. anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy What I’d do if I had a million bucks! But in prayer, He’s the Hero. I love Luke’s Spirit and with power, who went about doing commendation of Dorcas, who provided goodwill for the awakening under Peter’s good,” Acts 10:38, a key element in His re- preaching: “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named…Dorcas. This woman vealing the Father to an unbelieving world. was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did” (Acts 9:36). Not Many today have caricatured God as cruel, good works which she thought about, or planned for her retirement, but “which vindictive, and remote. When scoffers de- she did”. The Ouch Factor? “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to scribe Him in this way, I reply, “That isn’t him it is sin,” James 4:17. the God I know. He answers my prayers. I What does our Disciple’s Manual say? “As we have opportunity, let us do see Him meeting people’s needs. He’s al- good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith,” Gal 6:10. “In all ways doing wonderful things!” things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works,” Titus 2:7. “Affirm con- In Jesus’ day, folks had wrong thoughts ...one of about God, too. So one the aims of the aims of His mini- of [Jesus’s] stry was to show how generous His Father ministry was. He knew the was to power of good works show how generous His Father to win people’s hearts was. and point them to God. 1

MAKING DISCIPLES “Many good works I have shown you interface between heaven’s largesse and from My Father… If I do not do the works earth’s needs. We soon are recognized as of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I God’s local reps. As one school secretary do, though you do not believe Me, believe said, “We don’t know your name, sir. We the works, that you may know and be- just call you the man from God.” lieve that the Father is in Me, and I in Him,” Jn 10:32,37,38. Paul explained, “the Will some take advantage of us, and goodness of God leads you to repen- misuse what we give? Yes, just as they did tance,” Rom 2:4. with the Savior. But we can’t afford to be- come cynical. Here’s a helpful verse: “He THE IMPORTANCE who has pity on the poor lends to the OF GOOD WORKS Lord, and He will pay back what he has given,” Prov 19:17. Be wise on the front Q: Why is it important to end, but relax on the back end. The Lord the Lord for us to be engaged takes giving on His behalf personally. He has you covered. in good works? THE BENEFITS OF The astronomical cost of Calvary was GOOD WORKS not only to save us from sin, but to sal- vage us from purposelessness. Christ IN DISCIPLESHIP “gave Himself for us, that He might re- deem us from every lawless deed and pu- Q: Besides obeying our Lord, rify for Himself His own special people, what are some other practical zealous for good works,” Titus 2:14. These benefits of doing good works? works were pre-planned to match the ca- pabilities our Designer placed within us. “It is good for a man to bear the yoke “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God in his youth,” Lam 3:27. I have found it a prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” Eph 2:10. God put these good great blessing to labor alongside young works on your To-Do List. men when doing good works in the com- Our Lord described this earth- heaven linkage as follows: “Let your light munity. As my body becomes less capable so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father of manual labor, they are just coming into in heaven,” Mt 5:16. I have found that good works are the ideal handmaiden of their own. My experi- the gospel. Especially in a community where you are unknown, even unwel- ence and their energy Many come, good works done in a godly way are a great combo. young men increase your visibility and credibility. Like a wall receptacle, the Christian is the Young men, per- have not haps before they’ve been begun to express them- shown how selves in a public way to work in church life, can non- well... etheless speak the uni- versal language of love. Many young men have not been shown how to work well: how to pick the right tools for the job, how 2

THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS IN DISCIPLESHIP to break a large job into smaller, manage- he helped an old couple around their able tasks, how to work cooperatively house, then shared supper with them, the with others, how to happily serve in lowly highlight of his week. tasks, how to not quit until the service is “Ah, so you do have the formula. It completed, and that the job isn’t done really is ‘more blessed to give than to re- until the tools are away. And, of course, ceive’ (Acts 20:35). So now just multiply that loving service begins at home, sweet that Friday evening experience as many home. times as the Lord gives you strength and I recall speaking to my son, David, opportunity, and you’ll be living in the while I was away preaching. A brother heavenlies, too.” To paraphrase the Lord’s had marshaled the young teen boys to words: Try it; you’ll like it. help a spinster move apartments. She had Young men need to learn what “a good quite a stash, and the work was rigorous. kind of tired” feels like. The world says with “I’m learning to sweat for the Lord,” said disdain, “I’ve been used.” The devoted dis- David — one of the best lessons in the ciple says, “I want to be used.” This should textbook. You can help young men master be the heartfelt desire of this. every servant, to “very ...working gladly spend and be with one’s Good works, unlike many spiritual spent” for Him, 2 Cor 12:15. When the Scrip- hands ministries, have immediate results. It’s ture says it’s good “to [helps to] work with your own calm the energizing for young men to experience hands,” 1 Thes 4:11, it soul, order means it. In this high- the mind, the joy of a job well done. Legitimate com- tech/low-touch world, and pliments go a long way in making diffi- develop the body cult tasks become worthwhile. Of course, we shouldn’t be looking for praise from men; hopefully we’re doing it for the Lord. “When you do a charitable deed, do the tactile pleasure of for future working with one’s service. not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do…that they may have glory hands gives opportuni- from men. Assuredly, I ties to calm the soul, order the mind, and It’s more say to you, they have develop the body for future service. sanitary to their reward,” Mt 6:2. It’s more sanitary to PRACTICAL HINTS toot your toot your own horn, but IN GOOD WORKS own horn, but the the music will not be Q: Good works is the way to go! music will sweet. But what are some effective ways not be A young man once to go about it? sweet. told me, “Your life and mine are opposite; you dance on the clouds; I drag through the “Give to him who asks you,” Mt 5:42. Our primary goal in ministering to others mud.” I inquired if there was any time is not simply to meet material needs. The Lord gave people bread, but really during his week when he felt joy in serv- ing. Yes, he said, every Friday afternoon 3