The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith, not by works, but it also encourages us to do good works as a reflection of our faith. Today, we’ll discuss what the Bible says about doing works and how our actions can show God’s love to the world.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Doing Work
What Does The Bible Say About Doing Works
James 2:17-18
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of works as an expression of genuine faith. It challenges the notion that faith alone is sufficient, highlighting the need for actions that align with one’s beliefs. Works validate and demonstrate the authenticity of our faith.
It is not enough to simply claim faith; our actions must reflect the transformative power of God’s grace working within us. True faith results in a life marked by good works and a tangible impact on the world around us.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse affirms that our purpose as God’s children is to engage in good works. God has uniquely designed and equipped each of us to fulfill a specific role in furthering His kingdom. Our good works flow from the transformational work of Christ in our lives.
As we align ourselves with God’s will, He prepares and guides us to do the good works He has planned. The fulfillment of these works brings glory to God and brings about His purposes in the world.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This verse encourages believers to let their actions speak louder than words. Our good deeds should serve as a witness to the love and power of God in our lives. By shining our light through acts of kindness and compassion, we point others to the source of our faith.
As our light shines, it draws attention to the goodness of our Father in heaven. Our works are not meant to bring glory to ourselves but to direct praise and honor to God, who empowers and inspires us to do good.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
This verse serves as a reminder to persist in doing good even when faced with challenges and discouragement. It acknowledges that the journey of doing good can be tiring and demanding.
However, we are encouraged to persevere, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The promise of a harvest is an assurance that our faithful acts of kindness and obedience will bear fruit, both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Titus 3:14
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”
This verse emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing good works in our daily lives. It calls believers to be intentional in cultivating a lifestyle characterized by acts of kindness and service.
By aligning ourselves with the call to do good, we become responsive to the needs around us, both urgent and ongoing. Our actions should reflect a desire to bless others and make a positive impact on the world.
1 Timothy 6:18
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
This verse directs believers to actively engage in acts of goodness, generosity, and sharing. It highlights the importance of cultivating a lifestyle that is characterized by a willingness to give and help others.
Our good deeds are not limited to small gestures but should be abundant and impactful. By living generously, we reflect the generous nature of our Heavenly Father and demonstrate His love to those around us.
Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
This verse highlights the importance of community and the role it plays in encouraging one another to love and engage in good works. It calls for intentional reflection on how we can motivate and inspire fellow believers to live out their faith through acts of kindness and service.
By actively spurring one another on, we create an environment that fosters growth and amplifies the impact of our collective good deeds. Together, we can make a powerful difference in the lives of others and bring glory to God.
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
This verse highlights the principle of reciprocity in the realm of doing good. It declares that those who generously bless and refresh others will themselves experience blessings and refreshment.
When we selflessly extend ourselves to meet the needs of others, we open the door for God’s abundant provision and refreshment in our own lives. It is through the overflow of our generosity that we witness the faithfulness and goodness of God in tangible ways.
Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
This verse challenges believers to shift their focus from self-centeredness to considering the needs and interests of others. It calls for a mindset of selflessness and a genuine concern for the welfare of those around us.
By being attentive to the needs of others, we can actively seek opportunities to do good. Our acts of kindness and compassion serve as a reflection of Christ’s love and foster unity within the body of believers.
1 Peter 2:12
“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.”
This verse exhorts believers to live lives that noticeably contrast with the values and behaviors of the world. By living virtuously and engaging in good deeds, we have the opportunity to testify to the transforming power of Christ.
Our actions can serve as a testimony to the world, demonstrating the reality of God’s presence and goodness. Through our good deeds, we can draw others to glorify God and consider the claims of the Gospel.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of doing all things, both in words and in deeds, in a manner that honors and reflects the person of Jesus Christ. It calls believers to align their actions with their identity in Christ.
Our good works should be motivated by a desire to bring glory to God and advance His kingdom. By consciously acknowledging and offering thanksgiving to God in all our actions, we invite His presence and guidance in our quest to do good.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse encourages believers to rise above the world’s evil and respond with acts of goodness. It reminds us that in the face of darkness, our response should be one of kindness, grace, and love.
By actively countering evil with good, we become agents of transformation and ambassadors of Christ’s love. Our good works have the power to influence hearts and bring healing, restoration, and redemption.
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
This verse challenges believers to extend goodness and love even to their enemies. It surpasses the natural inclination to retaliate or seek revenge and instead calls for an alternative response marked by acts of kindness, generosity, and forgiveness.
By choosing to do good to those who harm us, we mirror the character of God and demonstrate His unconditional love. In doing so, we align ourselves as children of the Most High, who extends kindness to all, regardless of their deservingness.
Matthew 10:8
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
This verse showcases the power and authority given to believers by Jesus Christ. It calls us to actively engage in acts of compassion, healing, and deliverance, just as Jesus did during His earthly ministry.
Our good works should not be driven by selfish gain or personal agendas but by a desire to freely share the grace, mercy, and power of God with others. By giving freely to others, we become conduits of His love and agents of His miraculous work.
Romans 2:6-7
“God … will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life.”
This verse speaks of God’s justice and the principle of reaping what we sow. It assures believers that God will reward and bless those who persistently engage in acts of goodness with eternal life.
When we intentionally dedicate ourselves to doing good and seek to bring glory to God through our actions, we align ourselves with His purposes and cultivate a life that is pleasing in His sight. Our good works become a testament to our faith and evidence of our genuine relationship with God.
Psalm 37:3
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
This verse emphasizes the connection between trust in God and doing good. It acknowledges that when we place our trust in the Lord, we are better equipped to live a life characterized by acts of kindness, righteousness, and obedience.
Trusting in God’s goodness and guidance enables us to navigate life with confidence and security. As we cultivate a heart of trust, our actions reflect the character of God, and we experience the abundant blessings and provision He provides.
Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.”
This verse highlights the rewards of pursuing righteousness and love. When we actively seek to do good and align our actions with God’s standard of righteousness, we open ourselves up to experiencing a fulfilled and meaningful life.
Good works are not a burden but a pathway to abundant living. Through our pursuit of righteousness and love, we find joy, prosperity, and honor in the sight of God and those around us.
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
This verse challenges believers to move beyond mere words and display love through tangible actions. Love is not to be confined to lip service but should be demonstrated through compassionate gestures, selfless acts, and genuine care for others.
When we express love through our actions, we authenticate our professed faith and reflect the unconditional love of Christ. Our love is grounded in truth, and it serves as a powerful catalyst for transformation and healing in the lives of those we encounter.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
This verse speaks to the importance of meeting the practical needs of others. It compels believers to extend care, hospitality, and support to those who are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, sick, or imprisoned.
Our good works should flow from a heart of compassion, reflecting Christ’s example of ministering to the physical needs of others. By reaching out with love and assistance, we become channels of His healing and provision.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
This verse urges believers to not withhold acts of goodness when they have the ability to help. It emphasizes the importance of seizing the opportunities to do good and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
We are called to be proactive in our pursuit of opportunities to bless and assist those in need. By actively engaging in acts of kindness, we become vessels of God’s love and provision in the lives of others.
Luke 10:30-37
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead… But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him… Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
This parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the call to practical compassion and mercy. It portrays a contrast between those who choose not to act and the Samaritan who displays kindness and care for a wounded stranger.
Jesus uses this story to challenge His listeners to emulate the example of the Good Samaritan. It encourages us to go beyond religious rituals and show love in practical, tangible ways to all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Isaiah 58:10
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of selfless acts of service. It promises that as we extend ourselves to meet the needs of others, our own lives will be enriched and illuminated with divine favor and blessing.
When we sacrificially serve the hungry and oppressed, we mirror the heart of God and become vessels of His compassion and justice in a broken world. Our actions bring hope and light in the midst of darkness, demonstrating the life-giving power of God’s love.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
This verse emphasizes the link between our treatment of the poor and our relationship with God. It underscores that mistreating or oppressing the poor is tantamount to disrespecting the very Creator who made them.
In contrast, showing kindness and generosity to those in need is an act of reverence and honor to God. By caring for the less fortunate, we align ourselves with His heart and bring glory to His name.
Psalm 112:5
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
This verse declares the benefits and blessings that accompany a lifestyle of generosity and fairness. It affirms that those who freely give, share, and act with integrity will experience goodness in various aspects of their lives.
By living with open hearts and hands, we position ourselves to receive God’s favor and provision. Our generosity becomes a testimony to His faithfulness and a means of His blessing flowing through us to bless others.
Psalm 41:1
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.”
This verse declares the blessedness of those who show compassion and care for the weak and vulnerable. It assures us that when we champion the cause of the marginalized, God will be their deliverer in times of need.
Our concern for the weak is evidence of a God-centered and compassionate heart. As we advocate for justice and lend a helping hand to the less fortunate, we position ourselves as vessels of God’s deliverance and agents of His love and mercy.
Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
This verse highlights the importance of sincerity and humility in our acts of righteousness. It warns against seeking the praise and approval of others for our good works, as it hinders the reception of heavenly rewards.
Our motivation for doing good should come from a genuine desire to honor and serve God, rather than seeking recognition or applause from others. When we perform acts of righteousness with humility and authenticity, we position ourselves to receive lasting rewards from our Heavenly Father.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of giving with a heart of joy and willingness, rather than out of obligation or compulsion. It underscores that our giving should be a response to God’s love and generosity toward us.
As we intentionally and cheerfully give of our time, resources, and talents, we demonstrate our trust in God’s provision and acknowledge His ownership over all that we have. Our cheerful giving reflects a heart that delights in blessing others and aligns with God’s heart of extravagant generosity.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
This verse encapsulates the truth that giving brings greater blessings than receiving. It echoes the teachings of Jesus, reminding believers of the joy and blessing that flows from a lifestyle characterized by selfless giving and helping the weak.
By adopting a mindset of generosity and embracing opportunities to give, we position ourselves to receive the manifold blessings and satisfaction that come from serving others. Our lives become a testimony to the transformative power of a giving heart.