The Place of Works: Small Works Count Too

by David Chadwick

There is a place for works in the life of a believer. We have been saved by grace through faith, but because of that salvation, we have now been called to good works.

Even the smallest acts of kindness and the tiniest displays of obedience are noticed by Jesus and will be rewarded in heaven one day. Jesus clearly taught this in Matthew 10:42. He said, “And whoever gives one of these littles ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Take note of Jesus’s heart for “the little ones.” He certainly had such a heart for those young in their faith, but especially loved the young children! To put it even more bluntly, he was really ticked off at his disciples for trying to prevent kids from getting to him because the kingdom of heaven belonged to them (Matthew 19:14).

In Jesus’s economy, the smallest act of kindness - something as simple as a cup of cold water - yields an eternal reward.

Always remember that Jesus sees everything we do. Even small acts of kindness are seen, noted, and will eventually be rewarded in heaven. The rewards will come at the bema seat in heaven after we die. The bema seat is also referred to as the judgement seat.

Knowing that we will give an account for our works should motivate all of us to do more good works. As you hear me say so often, “Be the church! Just go!” It doesn't have to be complicated. Just do something!

The message of Jesus certainly is rooted in grace. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). So as you lean on the grace and mercy of Jesus, cultivate the fear of the Lord as well. None of us should want to sit at the bema judgment seat one day without any rewards, even small ones.

Today, look for ways throughout your day to give a moment of hope to someone. Maybe it’s with your words, or a kind gesture, or just a simple smile. Each time, remember that there is a place for works and that one day you will be rewarded.

The Place of Works: What Kind of Works?

by David Chadwick

There is a place for good works in the life of a Christ follower. But only if it is laid on the foundation of grace. Grace is the bedrock of our salvation. However, works must follow in the life of a Christian. But what kind of works should we do?

Take a moment and look at Matthew 25:31-45, the parable of the sheep and the goats. It is an end times parable that suggests some different acts of kindness that Jesus wants us to be about as we await his return.

First, notice that these acts that are done to “the least of these my brethren” are also done to Jesus (Matthew 25:40). This seems to imply that Jesus desires for us to be especially kind to our fellow Christians who may be hurting.

Galatians 6:10 appears to suggest the same principle. It says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Our good works aren’t just acts of kindness, they are opportunities to display the gospel.

As you see, while doing good to everyone is important, Christians are adjured to prioritize and show particular care for fellow Christians within “the household of faith.” Perhaps this reflects Jesus’s words in John 13:34 that the world will know that Christians truly belong to him by the way we love one another. If we are not walking in unity, the lost world remains confused by what they see.

More specifically, Matthew 25 lays out some more specific ways for Christians to show good works: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoners in prison. If you are looking for simple ideas, here is a great place to start.

Someone once said that the proof is in the pudding. That’s what Jesus is saying here. The proof that you really love him and really are one of his sheep comes by doing these good works. The proof that you are a goat comes by NOT doing these things. Your good works will follow your faith. They must if you truly love Jesus!

The Place of Works: Saved for Good Works

by David Chadwick

If we are solely saved by grace through faith, where then do works fit into the life of a follower of Christ? The message of Jesus is different from every other world religion in that it is a message of undeserving, radical, powerful grace.

James clearly states that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26). Is this a refutation of Paul’s teaching? Absolutely not! The Bible cannot contradict itself. Let’s take a moment to unpack this.

We are not saved by our works, but according to Scripture, our salvation is proved through our works. Works are the evidence that salvation has really and readily taken place in our hearts. Or said another way, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.

If someone truly has Jesus ruling and reigning over his or her life, Jesus will be conforming him or her more and more into the image and likeness of himself (Romans 8:29). As this happens, we become more and more like the man we follow. He changes us from the inside out. As we become more like him, we desire to live for him and yearn to see his life reflected in our life.

In addition to looking, acting, and speaking like Jesus, we will go around sharing the gospel with others just like he did. We will both declare and demonstrate his message. We will speak the hope to the hopeless. We will share the way to be saved. We will care for the needy. Be generous to those who do not have as much as we do. We will pray for the sick. Like Jesus, we will work hard in all we do to bring people into heaven. Our aim will be to see his will be done. His kingdom come.

We do all of this because we know the gracious gift of salvation that we have received and we want others to see that we belong to Jesus and live for his glory alone.