Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 12 January 2022 08:04

Glorifying God By Our Good Deeds
by Terry Broome

There is a clear message coming out of the New Testament that we are to be a people who glorify God in everything we say and everything we do. Colossians 3:17 comes to mind as one such citation that “… whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Glorifying God through our good deeds and good works may be accomplished in two manners. Directly, He is glorified by His children in their willingness to manifest the Christ-like spirit, for He went about doing good,

Acts 10:38 – “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Indirectly, God is glorified by our deeds as others see our good works and glorify God in their own lives (Matt 5:13-16). Our goal should be to demonstrate the Christ-like quality of doing good deeds for others. The Apostle Paul stressed this importance in 1 Timothy 6:18 – “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”

There are some notable Bible characters who were involved in serving others and were doers of good deeds. There was, for example, Phoebe, the servant of the church in Cenchrea (Romans 16:1). There were nameless servants who were “well reported of for good works, lodged strangers…..washed the saints’ feet……relieved the afflicted…….diligently followed every good work” (1 Timothy 5:10). Dorcas was one of the great women servants mentioned in the Bible (Acts 9:36). “This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” Then there was Mary who anointed Jesus with oil, and washed his feet with her hair (John 12:3). The list goes on, both of men and women who were great servants of the Lord, and of one another.

We are to be a benevolent, caring, and compassionate people to the glory of God. We cannot stress too often the importance of taking time to help fill the needs of others in a context that would give Him the glory through the church. Our deeds are not for our glory and recognition, but for the Lord’s, and to be done through His church. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). I love these words to an old Christian hymn entitled “Somebody Did A Golden Deed”:

“Somebody did a golden deed,
Proving himself a friend in need;
Somebody sang a cheerful song,
Brightening the sky the whole day long.
Was that somebody you? Was that somebody you?”
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.