The Law and Good Works – Interpreting the Law of God (5)

The Law and Good Works

Interpreting the Law of God (5)

We cannot do good works unless we know what they are.

So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12

Even the youngest Christian understands that faith in Christ is connected to good works.

Christians are expected to do good works, and many of them do, both as individuals and communities. It stands to reason that the more good Christians do, the more people will be drawn to the teaching of God’s Word about how they, too, might be good and do good (Mic. 4:1-5).

But unless we know how to think about good works, and how to actually do that which is good in any particular situation, the range of good works we are able to do will always be fairly small.

But wait a second: The Scriptures have been given to equip us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:15-17). That being so, we need to search the Scriptures daily and to prepare ourselves, soul and strength, to love God and our neighbors, whatever that may require of us.

And when it comes to learning what is holy and righteous and good to do in any situation, we must begin our thinking with the Law of God. Ignorance of the Law, or mere neglect of it, will not equip us to realize the purpose of our redemption (Eph. 2:8-10). If we would be equipped for whatever good work the opportunity before us requires (Eph. 5:15-17), then we must engage our minds, devote our hearts, and root it in our consciences to understand the Law of God and how it relates to the rest of God’s Word as the primary resource to equip us for every good work.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.