Works: Good: God Remembers
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In the Christian faith, the concept of good works is deeply intertwined with the understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. Good works, as acts of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments, are seen as a reflection of a believer's faith and love for God. The Bible assures believers that God remembers and values these good works, which are performed in faith and sincerity.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous instances where God acknowledges and remembers the good works of His people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Malachi speaks of a "scroll of remembrance" written in God's presence concerning those who fear the Lord and honor His name: "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name" (Malachi 3:16). This passage highlights God's attentiveness to the actions and attitudes of His faithful followers.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that God is not unjust to forget the labor of love shown by believers: "For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so" (Hebrews 6:10). This assurance serves as an encouragement to Christians to persist in their good works, knowing that God sees and remembers their efforts.

Examples of Good Works Remembered

The Bible provides specific examples of individuals whose good works were remembered by God. Cornelius, a centurion described in the Book of Acts, is noted for his devoutness and acts of charity: "Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, 'What is it, Lord?' The angel answered, 'Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God'" (Acts 10:4). Cornelius's good works were recognized by God, leading to a significant moment in the early Church's history.

Another example is found in the account of the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. Jesus declared that her act of devotion would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached: "Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her" (Matthew 26:13). This highlights the lasting impact of sincere acts of love and worship.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the remembrance of good works by God underscores His justice and faithfulness. While salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), good works are the fruit of a transformed life in Christ. They are evidence of genuine faith and are pleasing to God. The remembrance of these works is not about earning salvation but about God's recognition of the believer's faithfulness and obedience.

Furthermore, the remembrance of good works serves as a motivation for believers to live righteously and to serve others. Knowing that God sees and values their efforts encourages Christians to persevere in doing good, even when it goes unnoticed by others. As Jesus taught, acts of kindness done in secret will be rewarded by the Father who sees in secret (Matthew 6:4).

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to engage in good works as an expression of their faith and love for God. This includes acts of charity, service to others, and living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ. The assurance that God remembers these works provides comfort and motivation, especially in times of discouragement or when facing opposition.

In summary, the Bible affirms that God remembers the good works of His people. This remembrance is a testament to His justice, faithfulness, and love for those who seek to honor Him through their actions.
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Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
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Hebrews 6:9,10
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
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Library

Whether the Effect of Subsequent Penance is to Quicken Even Dead ...
... Objection 3: God remembers the good deeds a man does when in a state of sin, not
by rewarding them in eternal life, which is due only to living works, ie those ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the effect of subsequent.htm

How Holy Love Returning into the Soul, Brings Back to Life all the ...
... Now God forgets works when they lose their merit ... sanctity by sin committed, and he
remembers them when ... faithful to be rewarded for their good works, as well by ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii how holy love.htm

The Writing on God's Hands
... of heaven and the building of the City of God. ... therefore 'all things work together
for my good.' If we ... here is that the divine remembrance works all things, to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the writing on gods hands.htm

Letter v. --The Fear of Being Wanting in Submission.
... this is why the prophet says that God remembers His mercy ... desired and makes the merit
or demerit of our good works.". ... our poor souls, this enemy of God and of ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter v the fear of being.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... be no reasonable doubt of their good estate; but ... MANKIND feel themselves accountable
to God and naturally ... impartial hand, according to their works; and when ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

Good News
... manner we are alienated from God by wicked works, far off ... against him, he doth remember
you still; for God is love ... That surely is good news to you, and if God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/good news.htm

Of the Anger of God and the Punishment of Sins, and a Recital of ...
... "He remembers also that it is fated that ... But justice and kindness are as immortal
as the mind and soul, which by good works attain to the likeness of God. ...
/.../chap xxiii of the anger of.htm

The Knowledge of God
... Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds; the wondrous works of him that is perfect
in knowledge ... Because there is in him some good thing.' God sees some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children ...
... one, is an exhortation to Christian life and works. ... and ability, everything that
is good and well ... sin and infirmity, at once repents, remembers God's Word, and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eighth sunday after trinity living.htm

Description of the Gnostic Continued.
... as the consequence of knowledge; knowing God, or rather ... For works follow knowledge,
as the shadow the ... which, through divine arrangement, take place for good. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xiii description of the gnostic.htm

Resources
Why is salvation by works the predominantly held viewpoint? | GotQuestions.org

Why is faith without works dead? | GotQuestions.org

What are the works of the devil in 1 John 3:8? | GotQuestions.org

Works: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Good Works are by Jesus Christ to the Glory and Praise of God

Good Works in the Judgment, Will be an Evidence of Faith

Good Works: Called: Fruits Meet for Repentance

Good Works: Called: Fruits of Righteousness

Good Works: Called: Good Fruits

Good Works: Called: Works and Labours of Love

Good Works: Christ, an Example of

Good Works: God Remembers

Good Works: Heavenly Wisdom is Full of

Good Works: Holy Women should Manifest

Good Works: Justification Unattainable By

Good Works: Ministers should a Blessing Attends

Good Works: Ministers should be Patterns of

Good Works: Ministers should Designed to Lead Others to Glorify God

Good Works: Ministers should Exhort To

Good Works: Ministers should God is Glorified By

Good Works: Ministers should Illustrated

Good Works: Ministers should The Wicked Reprobate To

Good Works: Saints are Full of

Good Works: Saints are Zealous of

Good Works: Saints: Bring to the Light Their

Good Works: Saints: Created in Christ To

Good Works: Saints: Exhorted to Put On

Good Works: Saints: Followed Into Rest by Their

Good Works: Saints: should Abound to All

Good Works: Saints: should Avoid Ostentation In

Good Works: Saints: should be Careful to Maintain

Good Works: Saints: should be Established In

Good Works: Saints: should be Fruitful In

Good Works: Saints: should be Furnished to All

Good Works: Saints: should be Perfect In

Good Works: Saints: should be Prepared to All

Good Works: Saints: should be Ready to All

Good Works: Saints: should be Rich In

Good Works: Saints: should Manifest, With Meekness

Good Works: Saints: should Provoke Each Other

Good Works: Salvation Unattainable By

Good Works: Shall be Brought Into the Judgment

Good Works: The Scripture Designed to Lead Us To

Good Works: They Alone, Who Abide in Christ Can Perform

Good Works: To be Performed in Christ's Name

Good Works: Wrought by God in Us

Works

Works: Good in the Judgment, Will be an Evidence of Faith

Works: Good of the Righteous, are Manifest

Works: Good: A Blessing Attends

Works: Good: Designed to Lead Others to Glorify God

Works: Good: God is Glorified By

Works: Good: God Remembers

Works: Good: Holy Women should Manifest

Works: Good: Jesus an Example of

Works: Good: Servants should be Patterns of

Works: Good: Servants should Exhort To

Works: Good: The Barren Fig Tree

Works: Good: The Laborer's in the Vineyard

Works: Good: The Pounds

Works: Good: The Talents

Works: Good: The Two Sons

Works: Good: Will be Brought Into Judgment

Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation

Works: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Esteem (25 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Honor (240 Occurrences)

Works (379 Occurrences)

Respect (204 Occurrences)

World (2829 Occurrences)

Highly (48 Occurrences)

Sake (241 Occurrences)

Works: Good: God is Glorified By
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