Works, Good.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 2 min. read • grade level: 10

Christ, an example of. John 10:32³²Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? (John 10:32). Acts 10:38³⁸How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38).

CALLED

Good fruits. James 3:17¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17).

Fruits meet for repentance. Matt. 3:8⁸Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: (Matthew 3:8).

Fruits of righteousness. Phi. 1:11.

Works and labors of love. Heb. 6:10¹⁰For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10).

Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Phi. 1:11.

They alone, who abide in Christ can perform. John 15:4, 5⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4‑5).

Wrought by God in us. Isa. 26:12¹²Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. (Isaiah 26:12). Phi. 2:13.

The Scripture designed to lead us to. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17). James 1:25²⁵But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25).

To be performed in Christ's name. Col. 3:17¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17).

Heavenly wisdom is full of. James 3:17¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17).

Justification unattainable by. Rom. 3:20²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20). Gal. 2:16¹⁶Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16).

Salvation unattainable by. Eph. 2:8, 9⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9). 2 Tim. 1:9⁹Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9). Titus 3:5⁵Not 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; (Titus 3:5).

SAINTS

Created in Christ unto. Eph. 2:10¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10).

Exhorted to put on. Col. 3:12-14¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:12‑14).

Are full of. Acts 9:36³⁶Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. (Acts 9:36).

Are zealous of. Titus 2:14¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14).

Should be furnished unto all. 2 Tim. 3:17¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17).

Should be rich in. 1 Tim. 6:18¹⁸That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (1 Timothy 6:18).

Should be careful to maintain. Titus 3:8, 14⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)
¹⁴And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14).

Should be established in. 2 Thess. 2:17¹⁷Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:17).

Should be fruitful in. Col. 1:10¹⁰That 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).

Should be perfect in. Heb. 13:21²¹Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21).

Should be prepared unto all. 2 Tim. 2:21²¹If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21).

Should abound to all. 2 Cor. 9:8⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Should be ready to all. Titus 3:1¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:1).

Should manifest, with meekness. James 3:13¹³Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13).

Should provoke each other to. Heb. 10:24²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24).

Should avoid ostentation in. Matt. 6:1-18¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. ²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. ⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. ⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; ¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:1‑18).

Bring to the light their. John 3:21²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:21).

Followed into rest by their. Rev. 14:13¹³And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13).

Holy women should manifest. 1 Tim. 2:10¹⁰But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (1 Timothy 2:10). 1 Tim. 5:10¹⁰Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10).

God remembers. Neh. 13:14¹⁴Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. (Nehemiah 13:14), with Heb. 6:9, 10⁹But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. ¹⁰For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:9‑10).

Shall be brought into the judgment. Ecc. 12:14, with 2 Cor. 5:10¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10).

In the judgment, will be an evidence of faith. Matt. 25:34-40³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? ³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? ³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34‑40), with Jas, 2:14-20.

MINISTERS SHOULD

Be patterns of. Titus 2:7⁷In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (Titus 2:7).

Exhort to. 1 Tim. 6:17, 18¹⁷Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; ¹⁸That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (1 Timothy 6:17‑18). Titus 3:1, 8, 14¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:1)
⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)
¹⁴And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14).

God is glorified by. John 15:8⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:8).

Designed to lead others to glorify God. Matt. 5:16¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16). 1 Peter 2:12¹²Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12).

A blessing attends. James 1:25²⁵But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25).

The wicked reprobate unto. Titus 1:16¹⁶They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16).

Illustrated. John 15:5⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5).

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The New Topical Textbook

• Wicked, the, Are Compared to.

• Wisdom of God, the.

• Witness of the Holy Ghost.

• Works, Good.