Good, Evil, or Dead

What kind of works fill your days? Works are the hands-on deeds of service we extend to the world around us. For many, this looks like occasional volunteering or spontaneous acts of kindness. For others, it is a steady commitment to the vulnerable—the poor, the widow, the orphan—or to local and global missions. To understand the true value of our actions, we must look at the three types of works described in Scripture.

The first category is good works. These are our active responses to the heart of God, blooming out of our faith and new identity in Christ. Good works can be beautifully simple—a ride to the store, a visit with the lonely, a warm meal. They can also be physically demanding—rebuilding a home after a disaster or digging clean water wells. Unseen or seen, these works fulfill our calling to be salt and light. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." When we walk in good works, our only motive is to please Him, and He alone receives the praise. Hebrews 13:16 notes that these are the very sacrifices that delight God. They do not purchase our salvation; they are the beautiful evidence of it.

The second category is evil works. These are the destructive fruits of the flesh, originating deep within a person before they ever manifest outwardly. Racism, hatred, and malice all belong here. Mark 7:20 reminds us that what comes out of a defiled human heart is what truly harms us. Dissension, selfish ambition, and rage belong on this list too. Though people try to hide their evil works, they inevitably spill over into our news headlines, revealing the reality of a life operating in spiritual darkness.

The final category is dead works. This is perhaps the most deceptive category, because remarkably nice people can perform them. Dead works require no faith. A person might speak of God, yet keep Him at a distance, using service as a mechanical checkbox, a tax deduction, or a way to gain human approval. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus strictly warned the church at Sardis about this: "I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up!" When people perform religious deeds to try and earn their way into heaven, they are practicing dead works. Lacking a foundation in Christ Jesus, their self-righteousness amounts to nothing more than filthy rags in the sight of a holy God.

Serving God is a profound privilege, yet we often battle an attitude of entitlement or complaint. Years ago, I caught myself griping about something God asked me to do. The Holy Spirit stopped me mid-complaint with a sobering rebuke: "You don't have to do it. I am simply giving you an opportunity to serve Me. If you refuse, I will find someone else."

Tears of repentance flooded my eyes. The Holy Spirit instantly realigned my heart to the joy and honor of Christian service. Today, when fatigue sets in, He gently brings that memory back to me. He reminds me that I eagerly gave Him my "yes," and He is always faithful to supply the supernatural strength I need to keep going.

Take a moment today to evaluate the hidden motives behind your service. As 2 Corinthians 13:5 prompts us, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."

My Teacher continues to instruct me—this is the evolving life of a disciple.