Good Person (What Answer would you Give to God?)



Uploaded on 1/17/2008

 

Can we get to Heaven by our own good works, or is there something else in the equation according to Scripture?


Approximate running time: 6:34


I am reminded of Ephesians 2:8-10 when this dynamic comes up regarding what is salvific --

For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.


Some key notes to take:


  • We are saved by faith, which is a gift from God. This is done so that we can't brag about our own 'goodness,' as it is laughable compared to the glory of God.

  • As followers of Christ, we are to be zealous for good works (cf. James 2:20, 26; Titus 2:14).

    • Interestingly, even the 'Good Samaritan' passage in Luke 10 does not include the word 'good' in the Greek text. That title is merely an author's section (pericope) description for easier reference in finding the Parable. However, what he did was definitely merciful, compassionate, and caring, as Jesus and his disciples make clear in the Parable. We can be 'good people' by today's standards and yet miss the mark of Scripture -- forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.


    Discussion questions


    1. If you were before God's throne in Heaven, and He asked you why He should let you into Heaven, what would you say?
    Of course, this is a theoretical question. God knows where each one of us individually stands before Him. In the end, God will not be deceived by any façade that we put up. God has provided the Way, the Truth, and the Life -- Jesus. We must repent of our sin and believe in Jesus, and on the Last Day, we won't be sorry for following after Him. Any reliance on the good works that we do will not hold up. Isaiah 64:6 mentions that our righteous deeds are as filthy rags to God. Only through Jesus can we have forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Heaven. Believe in Him while you can!

    2. Where can you do a better job in serving others through good works, in order to show our faith?
    Reflect on this question. While there are many possibilities for doing good works in life, here are a few to get the gears cranking:
    • Feeding the hungry
    • Caring for the needy
    • Taking care of widows and orphans
    • In general, loving others wholeheartedly and unselfishly
    • Praying for others
    • Comforting the grieving
    • Feeding the hungry
    • Donating clothes
    • Visiting people in the Hospital
    • Caring for animals
    • Taking care of God's Creation

    3. How does your lifestyle display what you believe?
    Jesus always had strong words for the Pharisees, who displayed a false righteousness on the outside and did things for the attention and praise of others, yet were hypocritical and extremely self-righteous. Don't follow the example of the Pharisees -- instead, be authentic. God knows all of our victories and falterings. He desires right behavior out of a right heart. Let your life shine forth a display of the Gospel to the world! Show the world the love of Jesus, and even more, if you know Him, by all means TELL THE WORLD ABOUT JESUS! Do you know Jesus? If not, we'd love to tell you about Him. Check out our Know Jesus page.


    When the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:4-7



    Credits

    Narration: Sterling C. Franklin
    Music: "Freely" by DJ Sterf
    Captions and Subtitles: S. Franklin, M. Oberholster