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In Christian theology, good works, or simply works, are a person's exterior actions, deeds, and behaviors that align with certain moral teachings, emphasizing compassion, charity, kindness and adherence to biblical principles and commandments, in contrast to inner qualities such as grace or faith.
Rooted in the belief that faith should manifest in positive actions, the concept underscores the importance of living out one's faith through generosity. Adherents emphasize the significance of engaging in altruism as a demonstration of their devotion to God. These actions, guided by the moral and ethical teachings of the Bible, are viewed as tangible expressions of love, obedience and righteousness within the framework of the Christian worldview. Christians are often encouraged to love their neighbors, care for the unfortunate, and promote moral values in their communities.
The concept of good works is linked to the theological belief in salvation through faith, and there is theological disagreement between different Christian groups about what is the role of good works in salvation. Some groups, such as Catholics, contend that good works are a necessary part of the process of salvation, as a means of justification of the faith and sanctification of the believer, together with the also necessary condition of having faith. Other groups, such as Lutherans, contend that good works are not necessary for justification, which occurs by faith alone (sola fide), though good works are a necessary fruit of faith and part of the process of sanctification. The theological understanding of good works continues to be a subject of discourse and interpretation within the broader Christian community.
Obedience to Jesus and other New Testament teachings, loving one another and being at peace with others, and walking in holiness are seen as "earmarks of the saved."
Good works thus have an important role in the life of an Anabaptist believer,
(2025). 9780802871909, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 9780802871909 with the teaching "that faith without works is a dead faith" (cf. ) occupying a cornerstone in Anabaptist Christianity.
(2009). 9781725244634, Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 9781725244634
Anabaptists teach that in the believer, "justification begun a dynamic process by which the believer partook of the nature of Christ and was so enabled to live increasingly like Jesus."
(1992). 9780836131116, Herald Press. ISBN 9780836131116 Peter Riedemann, a Hutterite Anabaptist divine, explained this ontological justification in these words:
Christians of the Anabaptist tradition (who teach salvation by "faith that works") have argued that being a disciple of Jesus by careful obedience to New Testament commands (such as the holy kiss, baptism, eucharist, headcovering, and feet washing), is "crucial evidence that an individual has repented, believed, and yielded to Christ."
On the Protestant side, the historic Thirty-nine Articles (1571) included in the Book of Common Prayer contain Article XI which states that "We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by faith and not for our work or deservings" (BCP, p. 870). Some Anglican Churches, such as the Church of England, still require clergy to affirm their loyalty to the Articles, while many others such as the Episcopal Church in the US do not see them as normative for clergy. In explaining this Anglican article of faith, John Wordsworth, former Bishop of Salisbury, says that "But by faith we understand not a dead but a living faith, which as naturally leads the believer to do good works for God as a good tree necessarily bears good fruit."
On the Catholic side, the 19th century Oxford Movement re-incorporated a broader understanding of justification into Anglican theology. The publication Tracts for the Times concluded in 1841 with commentary on Article XI in which justification by faith is affirmed as the "'sole internal instrument, not to sole instrument of any kind.' There is nothing inconsistent, then, in Faith being the sole instrument of justification, and yet Baptism also the sole instrument, and that at the same time, because in distinct senses; an inward instrument in no way interfering with an outward instrument, Baptism may be the hand of the giver, and Faith the hand of the receiver.' Nor does the sole instrumentality of Faith interfere with the doctrine of Works as a mean also." In this way, without denying the justification by faith alone in a particular sense, Anglicans may also affirm the necessity of the sacraments (particularly Baptism) as well as works present in a Christian's life:
In 2017 the Anglican Communion affirmed the 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification between the Catholic and Lutheran traditions.
Additionally Matthew 16:27 states that the Son of God shall reward every man according to his works.
The Large Catechism specifies:
In Lutheran theology, the Smalcald Articles teach that those who commit mortal sin "when they have fallen, lose faith, the Holy Spirit, the grace of God, and life eternal, and render themselves subject to divine wrath and eternal death unless, turned again, they are reconciled to God through faith." (2025). 9780758615442, Concordia Publishing House. ISBN 9780758615442
The Lutheran Churches teach that God rewards good works done by Christians; the Apology of the Augsburg Confession teaches: "We also affirm what we have often said, that although justification and eternal life go along with faith, nevertheless, good works merit other bodily and spiritual rewards and degrees of reward. According to 1 Corinthians 3:8, ‘Each will receive his wages according to his labor.’"
The affirm the doctrine of justification by faith, but in Wesleyan–Arminian theology, justification refers to "pardon, the forgiveness of sins", rather than "being made actually just and righteous", which Methodists believe is accomplished through sanctification. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Churches, taught that the keeping of the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, as well as engaging in the works of piety and the works of mercy, were "indispensable for our sanctification". After the experience of the New Birth (as well as after the experience of Entire Sanctification), Methodist doctrine affirms "the progressive growth in grace toward Christian maturity through a consistent Christian life of faith and good works".
Methodist soteriology emphasize the importance of the pursuit of holiness in salvation. Thus, for Methodists, "true faith... cannot subsist without works". Bishop Scott J. Jones writes that Methodist theology teaches that:
Bishop Jones concludes that "Methodist doctrine thus understands true, saving faith to be the kind that, give time and opportunity, will result in good works. Any supposed faith that does not in fact lead to such behaviors is not genuine, saving faith." Methodist evangelist Phoebe Palmer stated that "justification would have ended with me had I refused to be holy." While "faith is essential for a meaningful relationship with God, our relationship with God also takes shape through our care for people, the community, and creation itself." (2025). 9781426711930, Abingdon Press. ISBN 9781426711930 Methodism, inclusive of the holiness movement, thus teaches that "justification is conditional on obedience and progress in sanctification" emphasizing "a deep reliance upon Christ not only in coming to faith, but in remaining in the faith." Methodist theologian Brian Black summarizes Wesleyan doctrine on works of righteousness in relation to salvation:
Richard P. Bucher, contrasts this position with the Lutheran one, discussing an analogy put forth by the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley:
The Coptic Orthodox Church says that a living faith should demonstrate good works, which are "the fruits of the work of the Holy Spirit within us and are the fruits requisite for the life of penitence which we should live." Additionally, good works are "evidence of God's sonship". For Coptic Orthodox Christians, neither faith alone nor works alone can save, but both together, are required for salvation.
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