Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25.

In last week’s article, we focused on what it means to spur one another on toward love. (Previous articles are always available online at http://www.webbweekly.com.) This week we’re going to focus on good deeds and how they establish the authenticity of the love we profess. It’s easy to say you love someone, but demonstrating love is the action that makes it real. Here’s how God’s Word addresses this important aspect of love:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17

Did you pick up on what James is saying? Love, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. I John 3:16-18

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. I John 4:9

God Did Something

God loves us, but saying so was not enough. To demonstrate His love, God did something – He sent His only Son into the world to die for us. Having demonstrated His love for us through that most beautiful, good deed, Jesus then called on us to do the same for each other, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

My dear friends, God didn’t just say He loved us. He did something to authenticate it. He is commanding us to do the same for each other. In addition, He is commanding us to authenticate our love to the lost — and to those who hate and mistreat us. We Christians tend to be very good at saying we love everyone, but in what specific and tangible ways do we actually demonstrate and authenticate that love? Don’t just pass that question by without some real introspection. If we don’t get love right, I’m not sure much else matters in our religion.
Beautiful Work

The Greek words the Hebrew writer used for good deeds are kalon (beautiful, good) ergon (works). When we do something selfless, a work motivated by love and concern for someone else, it is beautiful.

Jesus used kalon ergon in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds (kalon ergon) and glorify your Father in heaven.
In the Open and To God’s Glory

For our light to shine and for God to receive the glory, our good deeds must be done in the open. Jesus cautioned us about doing good deeds in the open if our desire is to be seen by men. See Matthew 6:1. He wasn’t saying we couldn’t do good deeds in the open; He was simply warning us against self-serving motivations. Since good deeds must be done openly to authentic love and to bring glory to God, how do we do so without getting caught in a self-serving pride trap? Here are a couple of ways to keep our pride out of our good deeds:

1. Wash feet. Many of us like to demonstrate our love by giving money. That’s good because your wealth has value, but not nearly as much value as yourself. When it comes to letting your light shine, giving of yourself is the most effective way to demonstrate love. Whenever possible, authentic your love by getting your hands dirty. Take the low position by quietly and eagerly accomplishing the least attractive task. See Luke 14:11. Choose humble service — and let God do the exalting. That’s what Jesus did. See Philippians 2. As you do, people will see your good deeds done in a spirit of Christ-like humility — and to them, it will be a beautiful work of authentic love.

2. Be Always Grateful. When you do good deeds openly, people will thank you. When they do, share with them your gratitude for all that God and others have done for you — and how unworthy you are of such blessings. Explain that you are simply passing along the blessings you have received — and let the glory be given fully to God.

Friends, none of us deserve the blessings we have received. Giving the glory to God while openly confessing our weakness and frailty should be the most natural thing we do. When someone tried to get John the Baptist involved in a competition with Jesus, John humbly stated, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30. That’s a great statement to memorize and keep on the tip of the tongue. Everything we do should have the purpose of pointing people to Jesus.

Paul expressed his frailty and gratefulness this way, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Another great statement to have ready at any moment.

Fellow believers, let’s spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The love of many is growing cold. If love is going to survive, it will be because we gave ourselves to authenticating it through good deeds. The world is waiting.