Can one false doctrine ruin a church?
Part Three—Good Works: Are they being taught correctly??
Many anti-good works preachers quote from Ephesians 2:8–9
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith;
- And that not of yourselves:
- It is the gift of God:
- Not of works,
- Lest any man should boast.
Quoting these verses is not a problem. They are absolutely true. But how a preacher interprets them, especially when he goes against the rest of the scriptures that correctly help interpret this passage. That is a problem.
The problem comes when the preacher goes on to say something like:
- “See we don’t need good works, to get into heaven!”
- You can come just as you are.
- You don’t have to change a thing about yourself.
- Your salvation is purely based on faith and not of works.
(Once saved, always saved.) - You just have to believe. Just like the thief on the cross.
- It don’t matter if you commit adultery on a day of the rapture, you can still be go to heaven.
I have heard preaching very much like this coming from the pulpit.
Sadly, such teaching has infiltrated the Body of Christ, through false Teachers and Preachers (who know not, and teach not the holiness of God). They themselves have never learned the Gospel of Christ, nor the work of the ministry. This doctrine is common in many easy believe-ism, sloppy-agape, greasy grace, false teacher churches.
Can this false teaching ruin a church? Yes. You bet it can.
Does God want to correct this false teaching? Yes.You bet he does.
And it doesn’t take him long to do it.
Only one verse away he brings the correction. As you can see below.
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
For we are his workmanship,
- Created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
- Which God hath before ordained
- That we should walk in them.
As it turns out, the answer is Yes. Good Works are an essential part of a true believer’s faith and practice. In fact, it is not man who ordained them but God. God is the One who has ordained us to perform His Good Works for you and I to do.
All These fore-ordained Good Works are designed to bring Glory to God, and To His Son, and be empowered by His Holy Spirit. They are designed to bring healing, and blessing, and powerful restoration to you, and your whole heavenly family, and this fallen world, even as you and I, each do our part.
His Good Works are designed to become a living link between you, and all who have gone before you, and all who will come after you, to share in all the inheritance of the Saints of Old, and even unto the Saints of Today.
The truth be told: good works, and good faith go hand-in-hand.
Check this out for a personal and supplemental word study.
A brief word study with 16 verses on: Good Works.
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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. |
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| John 10:32 |
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? |
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Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. |
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For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: |
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Eph 2:10 |
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. |
1 Tim 2:10 |
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. |
1 Tim 5:10 |
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. |
1 Tim 5:25 |
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. |
1 Tim 6:18 |
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; |
2 Tim 3:17 |
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. |
Tit 2:7 |
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, |
Tit 2:14 |
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. |
Tit 3:8 |
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
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Tit 3:14 |
And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. |
Heb 10:24 |
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: |
1 Pet 2:12 |
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,
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May these verses assist you to go deeper and gain a richer more rounded and rewarding understanding of the subject of Good Works and how to appropriate them for your own life.
1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV)
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
Continue in them:
- for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself,
- and them that hear thee.
Possibly the greatest privilege, the greatest honor, the greatest responsibility, the greatest commission, ever given from God to man, that will have the greatest lasting effect, the greatest healing power, the greatest eternal result, and is far greater than almost any other thing a man can do in this life, is taking on the yoke of Christ, to share the gospel with the lost, that they might be saved from eternal damnation.
There is likely no greater honor possible, no greater reward imaginable.
The video below helps to clarify both the value, and the cost, of sharing the gospel with the lost.
This is the good work God has preordained for you to do in his name, for his glory, for the benefit of all.