Lesson Description

In this lesson, we will examine the difference between righteousness and good works. We will learn why good works cannot earn us a righteous standing before God and why good works remain important in the life of a believer. Through Scripture, we will discover that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Understanding this distinction helps us avoid both self-righteousness and the mistaken belief that grace gives us permission to live carelessly.

1. What Is the Difference Between Righteousness and Good Works?

Righteousness concerns our right standing before God, which He provides through Jesus Christ. Good works are the actions we take when we serve others, show kindness, act honestly, and live according to God’s Word.

Although righteousness and good works are related, they are not the same thing.

We cannot purchase God’s righteousness by doing good deeds. Our good works do not replace the sacrifice of Jesus Christ or become the foundation of our acceptance before God.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)

Verse 8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Verse 9: “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

These verses make it clear that salvation is God’s gift, received through faith, rather than something we earn through our own achievements.

No person can stand before God and boast that his good works have made him worthy of salvation. Our confidence belongs in God’s grace and the work of Jesus Christ.

2. If Good Works Cannot Save Us, Why Should We Do Them?

Although good works cannot earn salvation, God has a purpose for them in the lives of believers.

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Notice the order in these verses.

First, Ephesians 2:8–9 explains that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. Then verse 10 explains that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Good works are not the price of our salvation. They are part of the life God intends us to live in Christ.

We help people because love moves us to help. We speak the truth because we desire to honour God. We forgive others because we understand the importance of grace and forgiveness.

We do not perform these actions to purchase righteousness. We do them because our lives are being shaped by the truth of God’s Word.

3. Can Our Good Works Make Us More Righteous Before God?

We must distinguish between our standing before God and our growth in Christian living.

Our righteous standing is grounded in Jesus Christ, not in the number of good works we perform. We cannot increase the value of Christ’s finished work by adding our own achievements to it.

However, our conduct can grow. We can become more loving, patient, generous, honest, and faithful as we learn and apply God’s Word.

Titus 3:5 (KJV)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Paul reminds us that God saved us according to His mercy, not because of the righteous deeds we had performed.

This means we must not confuse spiritual growth with earning a righteous standing before God.

A believer may need correction in his behaviour, understanding, or attitudes. That need for growth does not mean that human achievements are the foundation of righteousness. Our standing rests on Christ, while our conduct is an area in which we continue to grow.

4. Does Righteousness Mean That Our Behaviour No Longer Matters?

No. Receiving God’s righteousness does not mean that our actions become irrelevant.

Grace is not an excuse to practise wrongdoing. Rather, understanding God’s grace helps us appreciate the new life we have received and the importance of living in a way that honours Him.

Titus 2:11–12 (KJV)

Verse 11: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

Verse 12: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

Notice that God’s grace teaches us to live godly lives.

We should not teach people that they must earn righteousness through good behaviour. Neither should we teach that grace makes ungodly behaviour acceptable.

Instead, we teach both truths: righteousness is received through faith in Christ, and God’s grace teaches us how to live.

We do not obey God to purchase His gift. We learn to obey Him because His Word guides us in the life He has given us.

5. What Does James Mean When He Says That Faith Without Works Is Dead?

Some people become confused when they read Paul’s teaching that we are justified by faith apart from works and then read James’s teaching about faith and works.

These passages address different but related concerns.

Paul strongly rejects the idea that we can earn our righteous standing before God through our works. James challenges the idea that someone can claim to have faith while showing no evidence of that faith in life.

James 2:17 (KJV)

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James teaches that genuine faith is not merely an empty claim. Faith should be reflected in how we respond to people and situations.

For example, someone may claim to believe God’s Word but consistently refuse to show compassion to a person in need. James challenges believers to consider whether their claimed faith is being demonstrated in practice.

Good works do not replace faith or purchase righteousness. Rather, our actions can demonstrate the reality of the faith we profess.

We must therefore avoid using Paul’s teaching to dismiss good works or using James’s teaching to suggest that we can earn salvation.

Paul addresses the foundation of our acceptance before God; James challenges empty claims of faith that produce no corresponding action.

6. Practical Example

Imagine two people who give money to someone who is struggling.

The first person gives because he believes that God will owe him a blessing or accept him as righteous because of his generosity.

The second person gives because he understands God’s grace and genuinely wants to help someone in need.

Both people have performed the same outward action, but their motivations are different.

The first person is treating good works as a way to earn something from God. The second person is expressing compassion through his actions.

This example reminds us that good works are important, but we must understand their proper place. They do not replace Jesus Christ as the foundation of our righteousness.

Remember

We are saved by grace through faith, not by our good works. However, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Good works cannot purchase God’s righteousness, but they have an important place in the life of a believer. We should neither trust in our achievements for acceptance before God nor use grace as an excuse to live carelessly.

Our confidence is in Christ, and our lives should reflect the truth we have received.

Key Scriptures to Remember:

• Ephesians 2:8–10

• Titus 3:5

• Titus 2:11–12

• James 2:17