Definition and Importance
In Christian theology, "doing works" refers to the actions and deeds performed by individuals, often as an expression of their faith and obedience to God's commandments. The concept of works is integral to understanding the relationship between faith and actions in the life of a believer. Works are seen as the fruit of genuine faith, demonstrating the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

Biblical Foundation
The Bible provides numerous references to the importance of works in the life of a believer. In the New Testament, James emphasizes the necessity of works as evidence of faith: "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17). This passage underscores the belief that true faith naturally results in good works.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the role of works, particularly in the context of salvation. While salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul acknowledges that believers are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life" (Ephesians 2:10). This indicates that while works do not earn salvation, they are a vital part of the Christian life.

Old Testament Context
The Old Testament also highlights the significance of works, often in the form of obedience to God's laws and commandments. The book of Deuteronomy, for example, repeatedly calls the Israelites to follow God's statutes and commandments as a demonstration of their covenant relationship with Him (Deuteronomy 6:17).

Jesus and Works
Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, taught about the importance of works as a reflection of one's relationship with God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Here, Jesus encourages His followers to perform good works as a testimony to God's glory.

Furthermore, Jesus warns against hypocrisy, where outward works are not matched by inward faith and righteousness. In Matthew 23:27-28 , He criticizes the Pharisees for their outward appearance of righteousness while being inwardly corrupt.

Faith and Works
The relationship between faith and works is a central theme in Christian doctrine. While faith is the means by which believers are justified before God, works are the evidence of that faith. The Epistle of James provides a comprehensive discussion on this topic, asserting that faith without works is incomplete: "But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).

Practical Application
Believers are encouraged to engage in works that reflect their faith and love for God and others. This includes acts of charity, service, and obedience to God's commandments. The Apostle John writes, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth" (1 John 3:18), emphasizing the need for tangible expressions of love and faith.

Conclusion
The concept of doing works is deeply embedded in the Christian faith, serving as a testament to the believer's faith and commitment to God's will. While works do not earn salvation, they are an essential aspect of living out one's faith in accordance with biblical teachings.James 2:17
Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.
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James 2:24
You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
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James 2:14
What does it profit, my brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
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Matthew 7:21
Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
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2 Corinthians 5:10
For 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 has done, whether it be good or bad.
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Acts 26:20
But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
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Matthew 5:1-48
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came to him:
Topicalbible.org

2041. ergon -- work
... Word Usage action (1), behavior (1), deed (13), deeds (52), doing (1), effectual
(1), labor (1), result (1), task (1), what...done (1), work (34), works (62). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2041.htm - 7k

2038b. ergazomai -- to work, labor
... 1), committing (1), do (1), do...work (1), does (3), doing (1), doing...work (1 ... 9),
work be done (1), work do...perform (1), working (7), works (1), wrought (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2038b.htm - 6k

4611. maalal -- a deed, practice
... from alal Definition a deed, practice NASB Word Usage actions (2), dealings (1),
deeds (34), doings (1), practices (2), works (1). doing, endeavor, invention ...
/hebrew/4611.htm - 6k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), do as i have done (1), doer (1), doers (1), does (48), doing (63), done ... 2), work
(12), worked (7), worker (2), working (3), workmen* (5), works (6), woven ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

6466. paal -- do, make
... 2), does (1), does his work (1), doing (1), done (6), made (3), Maker (1), makes
(2), performed (2), work (4), workers (7), working (1), works (2), wrought (1 ...
/hebrew/6466.htm - 6k

John on the Same Passage.
... counted for righteousness." [1301] This is the work in which we may be doing the
works of Christ, for even our very believing in Christ is the work of Christ. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxii john on the.htm

God's Works of Providence
... continually in the journey of meditation, when it surveys any of his works"this
were ... Some would have him as a king, commanding and doing all by deputies and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xx gods works of.htm

Augustine 354-430 -- the Recovery of Sight by the Blind
... What is this "passing by?" As we have already said, He was doing works which
passed by. Now upon these passing works is our faith built up. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/augustine 354-430 the recovery.htm

Introduction
... toward the confusion of consciences, because they are self-elected, do not flow
from faith, and are done with the pretension of doing works well-pleasing to God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

The Christian Orator is Constantly Dealing with Great Matters.
... unworthy of the subject, a tongue of fire springs up out of that cold water which
inflames even the cold hearts of men with a zeal for doing works of mercy in ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 18 the christian orator is.htm

John Chapter v. 19
... regarding the Word, that "the Word was God," and that "all things were made by Him."
Suppose, then, the Father, as an artisan, doing certain works, and the Son ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xviii john chapter v.htm

Introduction
... As we see that it is God's own work we have to work out, that He works it through
us, that in our doing it His glory rests on us and we glorify Him, we shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/introduction.htm

A General Means for Applying Our Works to God's Service.
... A GENERAL MEANS FOR APPLYING OUR WORKS TO GOD'S SERVICE. ... the habit of holy charity,
whereby, though we have not an express and set purpose of doing every work ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii a general means.htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... Hence sanctification is a matter by itself; it does not consist in the doing of
good works, but must be an accomplished fact before a single good work can be ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

Such are the Doctrines which are to be Found in These Works of ...
... Such are the doctrines which are to be found in these works of yours which you ... turns
for which you blame others: for it is just when you are doing penance and ...
/.../27 such are the doctrines.htm

What does it mean to not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3 4)? | GotQuestions.org

What will we be doing in Heaven? What will we do in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Doing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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