There seems to be much confusion in the world today about good works. In order to understand what the Bible teaches, one must have the right questions.

Who is Jesus Christ, and why did He come?

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God showed His love by sending Jesus to die, paying the penalty for sin, while I was yet a sinner. “5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5-6). We can read that it is not by works of righteousness (good deeds) that one can receive salvation. However, the Bible teaches there is only one good work that one can do to receive salvation.

What is that one good work?

When the people asked Jesus what they must do, He simply explained the only good work one can do. “28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). Therefore, the only good work anyone can do is to believe on Jesus. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). Moreover, when someone believes on Jesus, that life is forever changed. A new life in Christ begins. One commences learning what the Bible teaches and applies those things to their life. Titus chapters two and three are a great place to read to understand some of the ways a Christian is to live.

What does the Bible declare? “…And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The word disciple means “a learner; one who learns and understands about Jesus” and Christians means “a Christian; a follower of Jesus Christ the Messiah.” It is here that we understand that the ones who learned of Jesus, understanding who He was and why He came, were then called Christians.

One way Christians live a life pleasing to Jesus, is to watch for His coming. “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 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” (Titus 2:11-14). Notice that not only did Jesus come to redeem us, but we are also to be zealous of good works. Remember what the only good work is that we can do? Believe upon Jesus, God’s Son. Any other good we do is because we have done that – for anything else is an outflow of appropriating our faith in Jesus into every aspect of our lives.

Today, if you ask someone if they are a Christian, they most often reply, “Yes.” However, the definition of this word, Christian, seems to have many meanings anymore. Most people believe that because they do good things, live right, and basically follow the Ten Commandments they are a Christian. So, while many teach that one has to “do” certain things to become a Christian, we are to understand that God sent Jesus into the world to “… seek and to save that which is lost” (see Luke 19:10). Who is lost? Anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God come in the flesh, and that He came to pay the penalty for man’s sin with His death on the cross.

The grace of God that brings salvation is available to anyone.

The invitation is simple. However, it must be received.

Are you ready to do the work of God?