Good Works God Likes

Aim: To understand the nature and necessity of truly good works.

Doctrine: The church, God's trophy case, will demonstrate the genuineness of her faith in Spirit-wrought deeds that glorify the Redeemer.

Exegesis: That which is required for the Lord to accept our good works: they must originate in heaven (v. 10a); they must be traceable to Christ (v. 10b); they must be God-certified (v. 10c).

Further application: How to benefit from (and not be deceived by) good works: understand that they come naturally to regenerate souls, and recognize that they are the evidence—and not the cause—of salvation.

Key verse: v. 10 ''For we are [God's] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.''