The NIV 365 Day Devotional

As a Christian, Am I Supposed to Do Good Works?

The question of whether or not Christians should do good works can be answered with an enthusiastic “Yes!”

Jesus said that his disciples are “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). He then said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Jesus calls us to stand out from the rest of the world by the good deeds we perform. Paul also characterized redeemed believers as those who are “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).

Still, there is often confusion about how good works are related to salvation. The Scriptures teach that good works are not the cause of our salvation but the result. We cannot earn our salvation with good works. Paul said, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8–9).

After reading Paul’s statement, it’s natural to wonder if good works have any place in our lives. But in the next breath, Paul said, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10).

Imagine the goodness of a God who not only offers salvation as a gift but also makes us new creatures in Christ who are able to perform good works that he himself has orchestrated beforehand!

Taken from the NIV Starting Place Study Bible.