About Good Behavior

The Letter to the Galatians addresses one of the most crucial issues in life—and it’s some­thing we all struggle with:  our conduct and pleasing God. What is the proper motivation for good deeds, and when does our effort to act rightly become nothing more than an exercise in self-righteousness?  Or differently yet:  How can we walk with Jesus daily and lead grace-driven rather than performance-based lives?

Much is at stake here.  In Galatians 2:14 Paul points out that works of the law that elevate self above others are “not in step with the truth of the gospel.”  And being true to the gospel is urgent:  distort­ing the good news brings the verdict, “Let him be accursed” (1:9).

In light of this, how thankful we can be for the pervasive Bible theme that clarifies the right relation between faith and works.  First, hear it from Galatians:  “By works of the law no one will be justified” (2:16).  And that’s because no one is able to obey God perfectly.  Still, godly conduct is imperative:  what matters in the end is “faith working through love” (5:6).  Faith working—good deeds flowing from a heart of grateful trust in a gracious God!

Then hear it from other texts.  *As Jesus says, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).  Our acts of giving and serving are fueled by gratitude for God’s prior grace in our lives.  *And as John says, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).  *Jude chimes in, “Keep yourself in the love of God” (i.e., it’s your job to stay close to the Lord), for you are kept by the hand of God:  “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling…” (Jude 21, 25).  *And Paul says elsewhere, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (i.e., live out your faith, put it into practice), “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).  We’re saved by God’s grace through faith (it’s a gift), yet we’re saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).

So how should this affect us?  How does it help us practically?  In many ways!  It makes us grateful for saving grace, and joyful in praise to our Savior.  This ordering of faith and works undermines pride (all glory to our Deliverer!) and allows us to be at peace and to rest in God’s love.  And it inspires glad, humble obedience to honor our King.  So friends, revel in God’s grace, and then get to work!