BS 36 ‘A Good Deed’
The dictionary defines a good deed as “an Act or Gesture from which you get no benefit for yourself when doing something nice for another person”. As I thought about the meaning it was clear to me this was a secular not a biblical definition. It is not wrong but could go a little further.
As I thought a little more on the meaning, it was evident that God has something slightly different; in fact a few scriptures might help define a good deed.
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Titus 3:1-7
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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Thinking about the text, good deeds are good but has no bearing on our salvation. Jesus spoke to one of the seven churches in scripture about their deeds; how would Jesus speak to you or I in today’s world? Have we became weary of the secular society? Are we tolerant to things of this world which are wrong?
Revelation 2:2-3
‘I know your deeds and your labor and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people, and you have put those who call themselves apostles to the test, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured on account of My name, and have not become weary. Written to the church of Ephesus.
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The Lord knows our deeds; are all of them good or do we do some things in the flesh; things that no one on earth might know about? Not all deeds are good. You and I know the difference; that is, once we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in our mind; we feel conviction when we are out of ‘tune’ with the ways of the Lord.
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [Secular deeds are of the flesh.]
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A good example in scripture of how the ungodly deeds might be seen from the unsaved. There are some good people, but not SAVED, in this world; by worldly standards they do not practice bad deeds. So, by all outward appearances they are not necessarily good or bad. If by chance we as Christians practice any of the above then we need to repent. John 3:19-21 talks about the same thing; so is it important?
John 3:19-21
And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.”
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Once a person repents and turns from sin; then start serving the Lord their sins are erased; they are pardoned because Christ takes all of our sins unto himself. Our formers ‘stuff’ is never exposed BUT the ungodly will be judged and ALL of their trespasses or bad deeds will be exposed eternally.
Matthew 19:16
And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only ONE who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow ME.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
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The rich young ruler is an example of ‘good works’ and following the LAW. Under the LAW; the Jews followed legalism and good works; Jesus shedding blood on the cross and taking our sins upon himself means something totally new. We now serve under God’s new way; it’s Grace through Faith. The new way is to serve with joy; not a legalistic do this or do that. The old way is obsolete now. [Hebrews 8:, 9:, and 10:, Galatians 3:15-29 are examples of the old to the new.] Don’t get caught up with the old way and think good works or good deeds will get you to heaven.
Matthew 6:1-4
“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
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This scripture is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus speaking and teaching many – many topics. The intent of these verses are to help define HOW each of us are to do our ‘Good Deeds’. What reward are you looking for? Do I want an ATTA BOY from an earthly person OR an eternal reward from the Lord? What we do in secret is unto the Lord but what we do, as good deeds, in public or tooting our own horn is not going to be an eternal reward based on this scripture. So, be humble and do your good deeds in secret, our heavenly Father sees it all. When you add a little to the original definition; God provides a secret blessing in some cases.
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A choice, good deeds or bad deeds. Another choice is; is it unto the Lord in secret OR is it because you want to hear words of praise and affirmation from someone you know?
Atta Boy, it is one of those things we mortals like to hear when we take the time to do something nice for a person. It is nice to give or get a compliment from all we come in contact with; especially when what is done was truly a good deed; from the heart. But if you expect it or grumble when you are not singled out for the good deed; remember you just got neither because God does not bless an ungrateful person.
DG