— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear Soldier,

Long before knowing Jesus as Lord (or “Job” from an income opportunity) one of my popular motivational talks was, “Do it NOW!”  As a zealous twit, I used Philippians 3 (“this one thing I do”) to suggest my urging had divine origin.  However, the purpose was purely secular: spurring others to greater achievement though right attitudes and goal-directed actions.

Oh my!  Only He knows how many have gone to their graves, falsely believing they are captains of their lives and masters of their fate.  Or, being so deceived, have become works-bent, Christian activists.  We believers just don’t seem to spend enough time at the feet of Jesus.  We’re short on worship and long on works; few Marys but many Marthas.  We pray the following will help us appraise our own lives.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

To do, or not to do; that is the (incessant) question.

“Martha ... said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus ... said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things ... Mary hath chosen that good part’ ...” — Lk 10:40-42 excerpts.

“If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do (maybe for a long time) and if it’s worth doing at all ... why not begin today? Why not do it now?”  That was my punch line to urge others into action, an order also embossed on my own moral DNA — one I’ve contended with all my Christian life: “Gotta DO for God!”  Like many, I’m more inclined to plunge into physical action than mental/spiritual activity.  Driving nails, digging, stapling, fixing and such, all net something one can see for their efforts.  None of these are bad but, neither are they substitutes for being at the feet of Jesus where we receive wisdom and strength for those “good works” of faith that glorify God.

Good works (Fruit)

Scripture says that doing good works is our divine destiny: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10).  We also find they are of divine origin and have everything to do with the Spirit’s enabling.  Jesus said: “Many good works have I showed you from my Father” (Jn 10:32) and Luke notes: “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). Our Lord tells us that good works should achieve two ends (second being fruit of the first) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Mt 5:16).

But, these are for true believers, not “CINOs” (Christians In Name Only) not for those who profess but don’t possess, or talk but don’t walk. Sadly, pews are brimming with the earnest who believe they’re God’s own ... but are not. No small matter! It’s utterly impossible to live the Christian life without the power of His Spirit — made available to every saint when born-again.  “The high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14) is vastly beyond human ability and can only be lived out by Spirit animated believers.  God discounts all other religious service, personal attributes or claims-to-fame.  These are works of the flesh and therefore, eternally inconsequential.  All “good works” derive from Him, not us.

Understanding is aided by knowing that works and fruit are close cousins; evidences of conversion and sanctification.  Jesus carefully reviews fruit-bearing in John 15, mentioning it 8 times in sixteen verses.  He makes it clear that He expects “fruit,” “more” fruit and “much” fruit.  That is: good works, more good works and much good works.  He tells us: “I 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” (v5). Just as apple limbs hang fruit that’s nourished to maturity by trunk sap, so we, as Christ’s branches, bear fruit fed and grown by the life of the Spirit of Christ Jesus in us.  Additionally, with both, the fruit is to bless others.

This makes clear the im-perative of being born-again into Christ so the Spirit can provide power to nurture and birth divinely conceived works; fruit of “abiders” in Him: “fruits worthy of repentance” (Mt 3:8).  I hammer this, for if we are deceived at the starting gate, the race has already been lost and we are consigned to works of the flesh.  Oh dear friend!  It matters NOY to God, how sincere, zealous or diligent: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." For Jesus said, “Abide 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.” (Jn 3:6; 15:4).  Jesus further reminds: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (Jn 15:16a).

Origins & Rewards

The foregoing reveals that, although “good works” might appear ordinary, they are conceived of the Spirit, then birthed into the natural realm, i.e.: “Tabitha ... was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.”  Her “good works” were making coats and garments (Acts 9:36,40).  NKJV renders almsdeeds as charitable deeds: time, talents and substance.  But, WAIT: might one do deeds/works for show, to salve guilt or, out of obligation?  Sure!  However, Who but the Lord knows which, when, and to what extent?  H-mm?

Though we dare not trespass divine turf by judging other’s motivations, we need check our own.  If our works are ill conceived, we surely cannot expect divine delight.  Jesus cites our giving and prayer as examples.  He reminds that, if not rightly motivated, we HAVE our full reward in their doing:  “Take 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.  Therefore 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.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for hey love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. ... They have their reward.  But 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.” (Mt 5:1-6)

Good Works, good fruit, good Church

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Tit 2:1-8)

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Tit 2:11-14)

Works divinely deemed good are so by ORIGIN, whether in the kitchen, office or field.  When God’s own are quickened to a work conceived of the Spirit then fueled by faith and love, all heaven rejoices.  It might be a huge building project or but a tender touch; a glass of water, chocolate bar, hug or merely a compassionate ear.  The vital component is its location of conception: Spirit or flesh.

In our busyness, how much energy do we waste on well-intended works not sanctioned by God?  How many God pleasing opportunities are missed by Martha minds and carnal agendas? May we all first choose Mary’s good part at the feet of Jesus, honoring Him as we gather wisdom, strength and grace for daily living.  Perhaps we should not “Do it Now!”

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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