Doing good works doesn’t simply imply we are to stay busy doing “good deeds.” Even the unsaved do good deeds for their fellow man. Search the following scriptures to see what else “good works” includes for the believer.
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
To walk “worthy of the Lord” means to live our life in such a way that we are worthy of being identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is to live a life consistent with God’s revealed Word. We are to walk in an “all pleasing” way, a way that pleases God in all respects.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." The call to walk worthy of the Lord is at the very least a call to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), so others can see how our faith guides our walk.
As we walk worthy of the Lord, our lives will bear fruit and good works. We should be standing by, ready to serve the Lord at any time, in whatever way is needed, with the words of Isaiah resounding in our hearts, “Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
Finally, to walk worthy of the Lord is to walk in obedience, making choices and decisions that reflect God’s heart. The only way to do this successfully is to dig deeper into the Word, increasing our knowledge of Who God is and what He desires.
Looks Like ...
There is a "signature conduct" that the world should see in every true believer who is walking worthy of the Lord.
When my husband and I had our restaurant, there was an employee whom we really loved - but we had to fire him several times for either missing work or showing up totally drunk. FINALLY, when we fired him for the 5th time, Mike sat down with Billy and shared the gospel message (again). He told Billy how much we love him and how much Jesus loves him. Mike's heart broke as he watched Billy leave that last time - shuffling home alone in the dark on foot.
About two years later, Billy called and said, "Do you remember me?" Are you kidding? Of course, we had been wondering where he was. Well, Billy said he had just gotten out of prison for drug and alcohol use, and he was in a program at a half-way house in Houston. He said that he met Jesus in prison and wanted to know if we would hire him again. I told him when he was finished with his program to come see us.
About six months later, Billy walked into the restaurant. Mike sat down and visited with him, and decided to offer him a job again. But the only job we had available was for a waiter. So Billy started working right up front, serving the customers. Every time a customer entered the restaurant, he would rush to the front, greet them, and help them find a table. He was always smiling, always up, always sober.
By this time, our regular customers were saying, "Is that ol' Billy Smith?" I don't even recognize him! Last time I saw him, he was knocking on my door at midnight, asking for money." I would just smile and say, "Yes, that's Billy. He's a new creation in Christ now."
Before Billy was saved, his conduct matched the world's standards. After Billy gave his life to Christ, he exemplified that "signature conduct" that naturally comes when you walk worthy of the Lord.
Ask Yourself ...
Is my walk worthy of the Lord, or is my walk giving a Christianity a bad reputation?