This is volume 36 in a series of Lenten reflections based on “The 50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die”.

erebus-cross2

 “At the heart of Christianity is the truth that we are forgiven and accepted by God, not because we have done good works, but to make us able and zealous to do them. The Bible says, “[God] saved us . . . not because of our works” (2 Timothy 1:9). Good deeds are not the foundation of our acceptance, but the fruit of it.  Christ suffered and died not because we presented to him good works, but he died “to purify for himself a people . . . zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).  This is the meaning of grace. This is why the Bible says, “By grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ suffered and died so that good works would be the effect, not the cause, of our acceptance.   Not surprisingly, then, the next sentence says, “For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). That is, we are saved for good works, not by good works.    Christian purity is not the mere avoidance of evil, but the pursuit of good.   There are reasons why Jesus paid the infinite price to produce our passion for good deeds. He gave the main reason in these words: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And what are these “good works”? Without limiting their scope, the Bible means mainly helping people in urgent need, especially those who possess least and suffer most. For example, the  Bible says, “Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need” (Titus 3:14). Christ died to make us this kind of people—passionate to help the poor and the perishing. It is the best life, no matter what it costs us in this world: They get help, we get joy, God gets glory.”

[He] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.  Titus 2:14

As I read this section, I am reminded that my works are truly only “good” when my motives are pure.   Yes, I can do good works for the poor, the unfortunate, or people in need.  However the question is why am I doing them?   Is it because at certain times of the year (i.e. Christmas) the need is more publicly highlighted?  Is it because they help rid me of some guilt?  Do they make me feel better?  Do I want people to see me doing them?  Do I need them to earn some points to graduate high school,  get a recommendation or possibly a promotion?   Do I think God will be pleased with my actions?  All-to-frequently, my answer to these is a resounding “YES”.  And in that “YES” lies the problem.   In many cases, God’s agenda is not my agenda.   Yes, the good works  I perform benefit others outwardly.  However my real motivation is they inwardly benefit me.  “I” am the reason for my good works; not God.   However, God’s Holy Spirit regularly convicts me of my selfish motives and redirects my heart towards God’s glory.  I am thankful I have the Spirit to convict and hold me accountable.   Without that work of both His administering the grace of initiative and service along with the grace of conviction, I’d be wallowing in the mire of my own selfishness, continuously.   

Questions:  Did you realize that one of the many roles of the Holy Spirit is to realign the motives of the heart?  The Holy Spirit not only empowers Christians to do “good things” but He is key in straightening our “bent frames”; our tendency towards self-centered hearts.   Is your heart yielded to the Holy Spirit or do you operate autonomously?

Quote from “The 50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die”.

Questions and reflections by me.

Picture – The cross at Mount Erebus, Antarctica, commemorating the 1979 Air New Zealand Crash near Mount Erebus.

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