Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In the passage cited in the question, the writer of Hebrews accurately refers to doing good to others as a "sacrifice", implying that it requires the death of something -- namely, of our inborn human pride, which we retain even after coming to faith in Christ; with which Paul described his own struggles in Romans 7:14-25; and which does not want us (even after being saved) to think of others or to do good to them, but to focus and act selfishly only on our own behalf.

Under such circumstances, it becomes all too possible even for the redeemed to forget or even deliberately forgo good works that they might perform for the benefit of others. That is why we continually require the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit during our entire earthly lives to combat and overcome those self-centered impulses, and to remind us how we as Christians should act in following the selfless example of Christ Himself, as described by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8.

October 11 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Jesus did “good works” every day of his 3 year earthly ministry. He preached the gospel, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, loved the outcasts, gave hope to the hopeless, and many such things. Then Jesus commands all his followers (including all Christians today) “Follow Me - that is, follow my example”. 

Jesus said that we would overcome evil with good. If we are going to advance the kingdom of God and push back the dominion of the evil one, we will only do so by the good works that show people how much they are loved by God, through our love and compassion to them. 

Doing good works is also the way we overcome the control of sin in our lives. When our minds are focused only on “Not doing the evil or wicked sin that is controlling us” we fail every time, because we are using human strength to fight against spiritual powers and authorities. Instead, when our minds are focused on doing the good that Jesus would do, if he were here, we are not susceptible to the temptations to sin, as the devil can’t get our attention.

Doing good is the training ground that God uses to make us pure and holy. Why? Because, to follow Jesus means we have to surrender to him as the Lord of our life and walk with his Holy Spirit into the good works the Father has prepared in advance for us to do.

October 11 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report