Good works are a “peculiar” thing (Tit. 2:14). By “good works” I mean that which God describes them as. This world may foolishly describe their works as good, but “is that true?” In order, for the world to lay claim to their works being good, such must be rooted in truth. For we must be able to measure whether their claims are accurate. The truth is God says different. The world is filled with children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2). Trespasses and sins are their environment, a habitat that reeks of death (Eph. 2:1-2). Corruption and vanity are the mire they tread. These children disobey, but disobey what? The God of truth. Hence, they live, peddle, and traverse the terrain of lusts – fulfilling the desires of them in flesh and mind. For such children the testimony of scripture taunts them, “…there is none good but one….” What pride! What arrogance! What blindness to claim one’s works are good – “there is none good but one, that is, God”! (Matt. 19:16) This condemning plight haunts the soul of disobedient children. Some become cynical and learn to enjoy the mire of lustful living. Some become moralistic stoics. Some give in totally, continue to do them, and “have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom. 1:32). Vicious is “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. Works that are cynical, fatal, or moral are not good because they are not wrought in God (Jn. 3:21). Clearly then, “there is none righteous, no, not one” and “there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10, 12). Venture across the world, explore the whispers of humanity, search the vast libraries, scroll through modern newsfeeds, line up each soul that ever lived and count their good and it is but a vapor. At the least it is as dust in the wind and at best the flower of the field before the scorching midday sun. The suggested good of man is relative, subjective, temporary, and highly corrupt by each doer’s vessel and environment. History and present experience reflect such condemnation and weakness and no amount of vitriol can cover it. Divine wrath is all that it deserves and all that it will receive. It will not be touted or granted leniency when beseeched. Therefore, one cannot find “good” for it does not lie within, nor can it be found in this world. It isn’t spoken, done, or seen. Therefore, good we speak of, really is “peculiar” and cannot be compared to the good the world speaks of.    

God is good and all good is wrought in God. Thus, this good is objective not subjective. God is eternal and His good is too. Thus, these works are not temporary but eternal for they are ordained before the world began to the praise of His everlasting glory. God is timeless and His good is never changing. Thus, good not relative but absolute. God is pure therefore His works wonderful. Moreover, God is exceedingly powerful and hath quickened us together with Christ, more of His work, we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We are His peculiar people that He wrought for good works. From dead to quickened. From the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air to raised together with Christ above all. From fulfilling the lusts of our flesh deserving wrath to seated together in heavenly places in Christ unto good works throughout all ages, world without end.

God has given to us to walk in these good works, to be diligent in them, to be fervent in spirit, to be zealous of them, to abound and increase in them, and to have our yielded vessel manifest their honor and so shine as lights as we hold the word of life which effectually works in them that believe. In truth, we speak not of works ordained by man’s wisdom, but those ordained by God given us in Christ before the world began. In truth, we speak of works no mere man can do, but the man that has the Spirit of God and the word of Christ dwelling in their mind and hearts. In truth, we can do like none other because we belong to One like none other – the One that is good.  

Look Up,

Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher