“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24 ESV
Reflection: how can we encourage each other as followers of Christ to do “good works” for the kingdom of God?
“That is not my responsibility”. I’m sure you have heard that from someone as you try to solicit their help to do a task that is not directly benefiting them, even if you explain how their work could really help someone in need. To do “good works” for someone else, helping them in their situation. It is an interesting topic, this topic of “good works”. What is that exactly? What do you consider to be “good works”? It is mentioned all over the Bible, but do we even have a good biblical understanding of what it is? And, as followers of Christ, do we have a choice, whether or not to do these “good works”? Paul wrote to the Ephesians “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”Ephesians 2:10 ESV. That is such a “Christianeze” verse, often stated, but I would challenge to say that it is rarely pondered and understood.
Ok, let’s start with the basic question, “Does every Christian do good works?” I think we can answer “yes” to this question, with the caveat only if they truly have met and received Jesus Christ as their Lord. It is of course possible to say you are a Christian, in fact say many impressive things, but have never really received Him. But, to expand our question of good works a bit further, “Does every Christian do good works all the time?” I think we can also agree that this is not the case. We all say and do things we know is not good at times, and therefore not from God. But, as a follower of Christ, those “leftover” or remnant elements of our flesh we should be actively trying to put to death, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16, 24-25 ESV.
So we see here a choice, of who we listen to, and what we actually do. There is an interesting story about Peter, pretty scary actually, where Peter is rebuking and directing Jesus, tempting Him to not go the way of suffering. “And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” Matthew 16:22-23 ESV. What is so amazing with this story, is that even Peter was being used by our enemy the devil, for wickedness. I am sure Peter thought that he was doing a good thing by “protecting” the Lord Jesus. But where he went wrong was that he didn’t seek Jesus here, he was being selfish and prideful, thinking he knew better than Jesus. And what I find scary here is how easily Peter was being used by the devil, saying something that no doubt was difficult, even hurtful, for Jesus.
So good works in the kingdom of heaven is not what we think up by ourselves in our flesh. That only leads to selfishness or self serving hypocrisy. Instead, the good works is where the Spirit leads, which often means going against our flesh and our own desires. And to know what the Spirit leads, means we need to be in step, or in tune with the Spirit. And the characteristics of good works by the Spirit is considered fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV. When we see characteristic of our own flesh, or notice that in others, it is not from God. In fact, as with Peter, it might even be from the pit of hell. It is important to realize that we are in a battle, all the time, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:12 ESV
In the book of Hebrews, where our focus verse is from today, we see this call to “encourage” each other as followers of Christ to do good works, in step with the Spirit. Let’s read the paragraph for context. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV. We learn here that we can “enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus”, we can seek and align with the will of God.
There are many who say the right things, maybe even impressive things, but their actions demonstrate something else. We can by their fruit know who they are, and if their words are just words, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV. Let’s seek the Spirit, and then encourage each other to do good works that pleases God.
