Good works have been prepared in advance for believers to do. (Eph. 2:10).  No amount of good works will save a man.  “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say?  ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” (Rom. 4:2-5).

How are the good works which are prepared by God to be carried out by the believer?  “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Rom 8:14).  If we are the children of God, we are dear to our Father with whom we have a vibrant relationship.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Rom. 8:28-30).

The will of God is what we do as we surrender to His authority.  There is a vast difference in doing good works though our will and that done through obedience to God’s Holy Spirit. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ “. (Matt. 7:21-23).

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’  Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ ”  (John 6:28-29).

Upon what basis and authority do those who constantly speak critically, that more deeds are needed.  If we loved God, we would do more.  Why have we not loved more, done more, gone to more places, reached more people with the gospel, helped the poor more — “Why was this not sold and the money given to the poor.”  This is the enemy’s voice, a worldly voice, a task master’s voice.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14).

It is God’s authority that we are to respect and honor in our obedience to His Spirit.  “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish?  After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?  So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (Gal. 3:2-3,5).

It is the Spirit of God by which and through which we are enabled to do anything of eternal significance. (Eph 4:11-13).  God has no needs; He is fully able to accomplish His will without our help.  It is God who works in and through us as we will submit to His Authority. (Phil 2:13; Heb. 4:9-11).  “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” ( Gal. 5:25) . “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” (1 John 3:23-24).