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Using Good Works to Point Others to Gospel Glory

The concept of good works pointing others to the glory of God and the gospel is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the words of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus instructs his followers, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 Geneva1599) [2]. This verse highlights a direct connection between the visible actions of believers and the potential for others to acknowledge God. Similarly, the Apostle Peter encourages believers to maintain "good conversation among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:12 DRC) [4]. These passages suggest that ethical conduct and benevolent actions serve as a testimony that can lead observers to glorify God.

The New Testament further elaborates on the nature and purpose of these good works. Paul describes his ministry to the Gentiles as "serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:16) [3]. This indicates that the lives of converted Gentiles, marked by good works, become an acceptable offering to God, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. Good works are characterized as "fruits of righteousness" (Philippians 1:11) [5] and are understood to be "by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" [5]. They are not merely human efforts but are "wrought by God in us" (Isaiah 26:12; Philippians 2:13) [5], emphasizing their divine origin and purpose. The Scripture itself is designed to lead believers to good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:25) [5].

Different theological traditions have interpreted the relationship between good works and gospel proclamation. Augustine, a significant patristic figure, commented on Matthew 5:16, noting that when people "glorified God in me," it was because they had heard that "he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed" [11]. This suggests that the transformation evident in a believer's life, including their good works, serves as a powerful witness. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, observed that the Apostle Paul used "holy art" by commending the Corinthians for their existing gifts and graces to encourage them in the "good work of charity," implying that excellence in good works can provoke others to do good (2 Corinthians 8:7) [12, 10].

The "gospel" itself is understood as "good news" (Greek: evangelion) [9], bringing "good tidings of great joy for all people" (Luke 2:10-11, 31-32) [8]. It exhibits the grace of God and reveals "the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6) [8]. Therefore, good works, when performed in Christ's name (Colossians 3:17) [5], are seen as a manifestation of this glorious gospel.

However, it is crucial to distinguish the role of good works in demonstrating the gospel from their role in salvation. The doctrine of salvation by grace, often articulated by figures like Paul, emphasizes that justification is "unattainable by" works (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2) [5]. The Easton's Bible Dictionary addresses the "old objection" that salvation by grace negates the necessity of good works, asserting that this argument has been answered repeatedly [7]. While good works do not save, they are a necessary fruit and evidence of salvation.

The emphasis on good works as a means of glorifying God is also connected to the concept of zeal for God's glory (Numbers 25:11, 13) [10]. This zeal should be exhibited in "well-doing" (Galatians 4:18; Titus 2:14) and in "desiring the salvation of others" (Acts 26:29; Romans 10:1) [10]. The Apostle Paul's aim was to preach the Good News even to regions where Christ had not been named, avoiding building on "another’s foundation" (Romans 10:16, 15:20) [1, 6]. This missionary zeal, coupled with a life of good works, serves to extend the reach of the gospel and bring glory to God.

Sources

  1. 2 Corinthians “so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done. -- 2 Corinthians 10:16”
  2. Matthew “Matthew 5:16 (Geneva1599) — Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.”
  3. Romans “that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:16”
  4. I Peter “I Peter 2:12 (DRC) — Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  6. Romans “yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. -- Romans 15:20”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Works, Good — The old objection against the doctrine of salvation by grace, that it does away with the necessity of good works, and lowers the sense of their importance (Rom. 6), although it has been answered a thousand times, is still alleged by many. They say if men are not saved by works, then works are not necessary. If the most moral of men are saved in the same way as the very chief of sinners, then good works are of no moment. And more than this, if the grace of God is most clearly displayed in the salvation of the vilest of men, then the worse men are the bet”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospel — A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. (2.) It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). (3.) The term is often used to express collecti”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. VII.--18. "Let your light,"[11] says He, "so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." If He had merely said, "Let your light so shine bef: 10 had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed; and they glorified[1] God in me." 19. And therefore, after He has exhorted His hearers that they should prepare themselves to bear all things for truth and righteousness, and that they should not hide the good which they were about to re”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 8:7: In these verses the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up the Corinthians to this good work of charity. I. He urges upon them the consideration of their eminence in other gifts and graces, and would have them excel in this of charity also, Co2 8:7. Great address and much holy art are here used by the apostle. When he would persuade the Corinthians to this good thing, he commends them for other good things that were found in them. Most people love to be complimented, especially when we ask a gift of them for ourselves or others; and it is a justice”
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