Dear COA Family,
We have been studying the book of Proverbs since the start of the year.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that calls for us to
reform our hearts and behavior so that we can be fully fruitful for Christ
in our lives, like the tree planted by the streams of water (Psalm 1).
Which brings us to the central question: Are good works necessary for
us to secure our salvation from God?
The answer to the above question is an emphatic, “No!” The Apostle Paul emphasized in his
letter to the Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not
your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph
2:8-9).
We cannot earn our salvation, as it is God’s gift of grace to us. No matter how much we
work we will never come to a place where we deserve it. He gives his salvation to the
undeserving so that no one can boast of merit.
Yet in the same tone, Paul continues, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (v10).
Here we see that good works are still important because they are what God has prepared
for us to do. We cannot ignore doing good works in our lives. We cannot disregard the
teachings of Proverbs to reform our lives.
Combining the two together gives us a clear picture of the biblical teaching about good
works. We cannot and should not do good works as a means to obtain God’s salvation for
us. We can never do enough. We need to receive God’s gift humbly by faith.
Yet we cannot ignore doing good works in our lives. Works of righteousness are the fruit or
evidence of our new life in Jesus. Without these, we cannot claim to be true disciples of
Christ!
May the Lord bless us all in this New Year to live lives that are “full of mercy and good fruit”
(James 3:17) so that we may be the lights of Christ that shine for Him to our friends,
relatives, and loved ones around us.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong,
they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” 1 Peter 2:12.
God bless,
Revd Ian