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Works Meaning a Product

Throughout the New Testament, when the word works is used, it is based on the Greek Word Ergon. I have written previously on Works and Obedience. For this topic, I will be showing how in certain occurances, Works can mean a product, anything that is produced.

2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

In this verse it shows that works are burned up when the day of the Lord arrives. This example of Works shows that sometimes our works are not good. Instead of having our works burned up because they are not good, we should seek to do works that are pleasing to God.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

This verse shows us that our works are something that other people can see, so in this case the product we produce is observable by other people. What these people observe could be something we do. It could be how we act. Either of these could be observed by others.

John 10:37
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Even God has works that Jesus emulated. How we act and what we do should emulate Jesus who emulated the Father. If we act in a manner inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus, we should not be believed. So the question arises if our salvation is dependent upon works? The short answer is no, as Paul explains in his letter to the Romans.

Romans 11:5-8
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day.

The bottom line is we cannot earn salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. But in the Book of Acts, there is an indication that Works allows the Holy Spirit to recommend us for grace.

Acts 14:26
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Even though the singular is used in this verse, it is the same Greek word, Ergon. And this verse shows that what we do and how we act recommends us to the grace of God. So while works do not save us, works allow us to set up a condition by which we receive this incredible gift from God.

Some may limit the concept of works to obedience. Obedience is definitely how we act and demonstrates something we do. I am not convinced that obedience to God's law is easily seen by those who do not accept it and believe that the principles of Matthew 25 show how we make our works visible to others.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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