What Prepares us for Good Works?
F. Fellowship with other believers: in the assembly of believers, we are exhorted and we are provoked (stirred up) unto love and to good works (Heb 10:24). Or we're provoked unto love and love provokes us unto good works.
-The new birth gives us the nature of love. The Word feeds the nature of love. The Spirit supplies the force of love. Ministry gifts teach and instruct us in/on love.
-Jesus, moved with compassion (a dimension of love), did good works of power. Good works of giving are to be motivated by love. All manners of good works are to be motivated by love.
-Love is the motive behind good works. They're not good if they're not love-motivated!
G. Prayer: in prayer, we receive revelation and strength (Col 1:10b&11a) and we activate grace for good works (Zech 12:10)
H. Purpose enhancers: they do a certain strategic good work that prepares us for our own good work(s) e.g. Mary Magdalene (Mt 26:10 & Mk 14:6).
-They can also play a part in our good works/assignment/purpose (Judas, Pilate & Caiaphas in the sacrifice of Jesus; the king who favoured Nehemiah, Aaron who spoke for Moses etc).
I. Diligence: diligence in our business prepares us for the good work of giving (Eph 4:28).
J. Knowing God and His will: this enables us to be fruitful in every good work (Col 1:9-11, Titus 1:16, Eph 1:16-18a).
-To know God is to know His will.
-Once we know God, we know His will; for we know Him and His will by His Word and His Spirit.
Finally: WHAT ARE THESE GOOD WORKS?
TO BE CONTINUED.....
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