"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us
and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen
your hearts in every good work and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Let us continue our look into Scripture to see what the Word has to say
about good works.

Last week we saw the various forms of good works Believers are called to do
and we see here that they should be carried to completion:
We have Jesus as our supreme example in the Gospel of John,
"Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to
accomplish His work.'" John 4:34
"I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou has
given Me to do." John 17:4 (This is Jesus praying to the Father.)
"When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!'
And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.'" John 19:30

Then we have the example of the Apostle Paul in Acts,
"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order
that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24
And to Timothy,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the
faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Again, concerning good works we see that:
They glorify God:
"Let your light shine before men in such a way, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

They enrich life:
"Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and
ready to share." 1 Timothy 6:18

They provide a pattern for imitation:
Titus 2:7-8, "In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds,
with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond
reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad
to say about you."

They tend to draw others to their tasks:
"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:24

They demonstrate the reality of faith:
"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in
which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds,
as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Peter 2:12

I will close with these two verses:
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your
bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1
And:
"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show
gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence
and awe." Hebrew 12:28

There is so much more that we could consider concerning good works and
service, but I challenge you to seek these things out for yourselves. You
will be enriched and greatly blessed as you dig deeply into the Word.

We have an awesome holy God, let us always seek to do His will and be that
expression of Christ here on earth, that all may see and desire after Him!
Praise His name forever! Amen

In our Fellowship we often sing Micah 6:8,
"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
'And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?'"   (Let it be so with us.)