We have all heard the biblical quote of "Faith without works is dead". So, what then exactly are these works?

Many people say that simply beign a good Christian and regularly gong to church are works. But how can that be works? How can sitting in church each week and being a good person be considered works?

Your feedback please

Allheart

The sad truth is...the good that is being done....is never really publized, the good just quietly to about doing good and the news only seems to highlight the negative at times.

I think we can do more and I think we would agree on that.

It is so funny, this morning, I picked up my Mother Teresa book, because she is so good,
and the page that I turned to was this...

Page 53 "There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love."

What a beautiful woman she was and still remains to be, in her most peacful state.

Fr_Chuck

This is part of Christianity that is often forgotten. We look and think about salvation, and that it is not works that get us our salvation, So too many christians then feel they don't have to do any work.

But a christian if they have faith, can't just do nothing, they will have to help someone, tell someoen about Christ, lead a prayerful life. not all of of these but they will do something

N0help4u

Basically I see it as
people who say use me Lord and they follow their spirit on where God leads them
and do the works that evolve in their path.

Then there are the good old ladies who make sure they go to do their works religiously (often along with their gossip) and it is more a brownie point system they follow.

Then there are the people who are all talk and wouldn't help a soul to save their life but they know all the right words.

Wondergirl

Opening the door for someone and giving a happy smile and cheery greeting is a work. Picking up a wallet in the mall parking lot and returning it intact to the owner is a work. Teaching your children good behavior and respect for others is a work. Snowblowing your elderly neighbor's sidewalk and cleaning off his porch is a work. Etc.

Works are not done to earn God's favor or to get us into heaven. Works are thank yous to God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem us. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

N0help4u

I like that

Moparbyfar

Matt 24:14
Matt 28:19,20
Jesus tells us in these scriptures what work we are to be doing and 1Tim 4:10 - We should be working hard and exerting ourselves vigorously, doing these things.
John 14:12 Jesus speaks of ones who will do works greater than he did. Was he meaning expelling demons or healing sick? No, because he did all these things curing ALL who came to him and even miraculously fed a huge crowd and the gift of the spirit was to cease or end anyway (1 Cor 13:8-10). Rather, he was referring to the declaring of the good news which he said he was sent forth to do (Luke 4:43).
As the scriptures quoted at the top show, this declaration would be to the entire inhabited earth. This is how certain ones would do works greater than he did during his short stay on the earth, in that they are working hard to preach about God's kingdom and it's wonderful benefits to all those who choose to listen and accept it.
This is what I consider "works" to be as Jesus and his disciples saw it.
How many religious organisations do you know of that exert themselves vigorously in doing this work today?
Luke 13:24 "Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door because many I tell you will seek to get in but not be able."

LifePaparazzi

Great answer. I was wondering if anyone would bring up Matt: 24:14, which tells us to spread the news of God's kingdom.

I feel that it takes MUCH more then just good morals, going to church, following the 10 commandments. A good Christian is really obligated to tell others about God's Kingdom.

So, it surprises me when people get mad about others speading the good news. (I.E. Jehovah's Witnesses) Why get upset when we know that these people are doing Christian Works?

(Oh, and I'm not promoting any religion, just used an example of one that does indeed follow Matt: 24:14)

Moparbyfar

[quote=LifePaparazzi] it surprises me when people get mad about others speading the good news. (I.E. Jehovah's Witnesses) Why get upset when we know that these people are doing Christian Works?
QUOTE]

Don't be too suprised because Jesus said "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you." (John 15:18,19 compare 1 Pet 4:3,4)

N0help4u

The Bible says you will know them by their fruit so if there is no fruit......

Moparbyfar

Exactly right!