Good Works vs.The Works of God

One of the distinctions that needs to be made as we move into this next season is the difference between "good works" and the "works of God." There are a lot of people and a lot of organizations that do a lot of good things for people, for the community, for the poor, for the needy. These various works are commendable and noteworthy. However, they don't necessarily represent the works of God.

A lot of the charitable works that organizations do cannot necessarily be recognized as the works of God because they're not done in His Name and they're not done for His Glory. If you know anything about God, He is a Jealous God and is very stingy when it comes to His Glory. He will not share His Glory with another. Therefore, when examining whether something represents "good" or "God," these are criteria that have to be taken into account.

With this in mind, we must then ask the question: "Are all the works that are done in the church the works of God?" You would think so, given that the deeds of the church are done "in His Name." However, this is not always the case. Jesus made it very clear that there are works, even miraculous works, that are being done in His Name that don't necessarily represent the works of God (Matthew 7). Why is this the case? Because God looks at the heart. You can do something, supposedly, "in His Name," but be doing it for your glory and your credit. There are too many people, particularly ministers, using the platform of the Gospel for their own fame, fortune and notoriety. This is not the will of God.

As we press into the next move of God, let us not be deceived by those who do good deeds and do good works, but don't lift up the Name of Jesus nor commit to the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Let us also not be deceived by those who claim to work in the Kingdom but are more about building their own kingdoms. Let us pray for a spirit of discernment to distinguish between "good works" and the "works of God."