The Christian, The Church is to be the Silencer - Not the Silenced

We are saved unto good works.  For we – the believer in Jesus Christ are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10.  We are not created for the gospel.  We are commissioned to go and preach the gospel.  We are not created to protest.  We are commanded to love.  We are not created to criticize the government.  We are created for good works. 

The early Church got the message.  The Lord Jesus when He was here on earth went about doing good.  The disciples now apostles witnessed those good works.  Upon the Day of Pentecost the Apostles understood they were to do as their Master had done.  Do good works.  Acts 2:44-47; 4:34 -37 tells us of their good works.  “They distributed to each as anyone had need.” Verse 35.  Today, there are many Christian organizations and churches that do good works.  Some of their good works are giving food, providing clothing, educating and caring for the poor and the underprivileged.    Some of these organizations assist in disaster areas.   It is not only those organizations that should engage in good works, but each local church and every individual Christian should also do good works. 

Some of us have heard so often that salvation is not given through good works.  For by grace we are saved through faith.   We know we cannot earn salvation through good works.   Good works, therefore, have been minimized in our thinking to our detriment and to the detriment of the local church.   We have recited Ephesians 2:8 and 9 and have stopped there instead of continuing onto verse 10.   God prepared before hand – before the foundation of the world that we should live a lifestyle of good works. 

We are told in 1 Peter 2:12 that our conduct or behavior should be exemplary in our sphere.  In whatever circle we live life our conduct should be seen as honorable.   Our way of life is to be distinctively different from the world of unbelievers of Jesus Christ.   The evil doers will speak against us.  That is what they do, because of envy and hatred of our way of life.  Even though we do good works, the ungodly will speak evil of us.  However they will observe our good works.   

Do not allow the evil taunting to discourage you or to prevent you from doing good.  Live a godly life anyway.  When God visits the unsaved in your sphere with salvation, their criticisms of you will turn to admiration.  They will glorify God regarding your life. 

Believers in Jesus Christ are the light in this world of spiritual darkness.   Imagine a dark room.  Then bring light into that room.  Everything in that room can be seen, and what is missing from the room can also be seen.   When we are living righteously, our spheres are lighted up.  Darkness cannot hang around.  This is the reason why evildoers in our sphere will criticize us and speak evil of us.  Our light shows them up for who they are.  They feel uncomfortable among us .  The evil doer do not like this uncomfortable feeling.  Meanwhile our good works are bringing glory to God.   

We are to submit ourselves to every ordinance (statute) of man for the Lord’s sake.  1Peter 2:13.  Do it for the Lord not for man.  Verse 15:  For this is the will of God that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.   By doing good works you will silence your critics.  They will want to attack you, but your good works will be glaring them in the face.

A good work can be a cold glass of water to a thirsty person on a hot day.  Holding the door for someone coming behind you is a good work.   Any assistance you give to anyone(s) in need is a good work.   The good works we can do are too numerous to list.   Let us focus on doing good works for this is the Will of God.    Let us go back to our beginnings in the Acts of the Apostles, and do good works.   It is better to obey God rather than mankind. 

Be the silencer with your good works.  Do not be the silenced.