Tabitha’s name in the Greek language was Dorcas, which meant “gazelle.” Like a light-footed antelope blessed with speed, agility, and grace, Dorcas moved about graciously meeting the needs of others by her good works and charitable deeds. She personifies “pure and undefiled religion” that relieves “orphans and widows in their trouble” (Jas. 1:27). With the faith of a worthy woman, she extended her hand to the poor and needy by making clothing items for them (Acts 9:39; Prov. 31:19-20). Her acts of kindness blessed others’ lives and enriched the cause of the gospel (cf. Acts 9:31). Women of all ages will draw closer to God by imitating her faith. We also learn that it does not take some great and grand thing to get God’s attention. Simple acts of faith that serve others are seen and rewarded by the Lord (Matt. 25:34-40). Jesus said, “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matt. 10:42). Dorcas was “rewarded” with being raised from the dead (Acts 9:37-41). No doubt, her restored life meant she continued her good works and compassionate deeds. But her lasting reward is eternal life in Christ (Matt. 25:34, 46). May we lay up treasures in heaven by following her example of faith (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Tag Archives: good works
Do Not Grow weary #2142
Those who walk in, are led by, and live in the Spirit of God produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 18, 25, 22-23). This fruit does not occur automatically; it results from maturing in one’s faith day by day. The apostle concludes his discussion of this life with the following divine counsel. 1) Do not grow weary while doing good (v. 9). To bear the fruit of the Spirit, we must not become disheartened while doing good. Paul described this good work earlier (Gal. 6:1-6). 2) Remember that the harvest will come after we sow to the Spirit (v. 9). The farmer plants and cultivates in anticipation of harvest (cf. 1 Cor. 9:10). Even so, doing good bolsters our spirits because we know the Lord will bless the harvest (Gal. 6:8; Eccl. 11:5-6). Do not faint with fatigue and exhaustion; be strengthen in hope. 3) Use your opportunities to do good (v. 10). They do not just fall into our laps; let us make our opportunities. Seek occasions to do good, and you will find them (Matt. 7:7-8). 4) Spread your good works to sinners and saints (v. 10). Let each disciple remember to be a neighbor to others even as we are “distributing to the needs of the saints” (Rom. 12:13). Such are the demands of pure religion and the fruit of living in the Spirit (Jas. 1:26-27; Gal. 5:22-23, 25).
Learn to Maintain Good Works #1424
And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14, NKJV)
We must not only learn to walk in good works, we must also learn to maintain them (Ephesians 2:10; 5:2, 8, 15). The word Paul used for “maintain” in today’s verse means to “stand before” or to “preside” (Strong’s). We must learn to preside over our conduct by continuing to do good works without neglect. Instead of losing interest in doing good, we must supervise our attitudes so that we look for opportunities to do what is good and right. Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). By maintaining good works we are able to meet the essential needs that arise (“urgent needs”), fruitfully fulfilling the Lord’s work. A diligent heart to do God’s will keeps on practicing good works. Without supervising our hearts, weariness and apathy will lead us to neglect our responsibility to do good to all.
Careful to Maintain Good Works #1082
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8, NKJV)
Paul, the apostle of Christ, exhorted Titus to constantly assert that Christians should concentrate on practicing good works. We must fight the temptation to rely on the accomplishments of the past to define our faith in the present, as well as in the future. When Paul said to “maintain” good works, he used a word that means “to take the lead in” devoting oneself to the moral duty we have to God. We are obliged before God to practice the good works of God (Eph. 2:10). Paul had just told Titus to remind the brethren to these good works (Titus 2:11-12; 3:1-3). Use today to reinvigorate your decision to carefully practice the good works of moral purity and doctrinal fidelity. Those around you will profit from your faithful life.
God’s Workmanship #504
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV)
Having been saved “by grace, through faith” and not by our merit, Christians are the workmanship of God. We are His creation object: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17, NKJV). From eternity past, God prepared the “good works” in which we should walk: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4). Each day we are to walk in “true righteousness and holiness”, not in the sin from which Christ saved us (Eph. 4:24). The inspired Scriptures equip us in God’s good works (2 Tim. 3:16-17). How thoughtless and thankless it would be to turn back to sin instead of faithfully living as God’s workmanship: saved, forgiven, and walking in God’s good works.
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