Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell the story.

He was rich, he was young, and he wanted to inherit eternal life. All good things, right? All things we’d like to be and do.

From each of the three synoptic accounts the conversation couldn’t have taken more than 15 minutes. Yet the implications and significance of these interlocutors is vast and the subject of this consideration.

When Jesus asked, “Why do you call me good?” It is a good example of a phrase that can take on several different emphases depending on which of four key words are emphasized.

Here’s what I mean: each emphasis added.

“WHY…do you call me good”

“Why do…YOU call me good?”

“Why do you call…ME good?”

“Why do you call me…GOOD?”

Each emphasis probes a reason and focus of the young man’s question.

Let’s focus the last emphasis GOOD. God and God only is GOOD.

Objectively good

Consistently good

Uniquely good

A GOOD teacher can only teach what is GOOD and show what is GOOD

That is, if we reflect on how Jesus answers, exactly what he did. Jesus told the wealthy young man what “pure religion” the kind of “GOOD” God accepts and the kind of good the young man was trying to practice looks like.

We are all familiar with the phrase, “God is Good.” One of the many “God is…” declarations: Holy, Light, Love, Just…etc.

God told His people under the old law, “⁴⁴ For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy” Be HOLY…because I am HOLY.” Israel reflects God’s holy nature into their world among the nations.

Peter repeats the admonition, “¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Being “image” bearing people means we reflect, we manifest, we demonstrate God’s character, attributes, holiness into the world, as fallen as it is.

Only God is good, Keeping the commandments is good, being good and complete includes more than personal purity, piety and what we DON’T DO. Holiness, like God is holy, perfection and completeness like God also involves helping others in need. It involves what we SHOULD do as much as what we SHOULDN’T do.

This is a perfect example of what James [the Lord’s brother] describes as “pure religion that God accepts” in James 1:27.

1. Keep yourself unspotted from the world. What we DON’T do.
2. Visit the fatherless and the widow” What we SHOULD do.

These are the two “wings of faith” that is alive not dead. Faith that thrives instead of faith that is useless.

God calls us to be holy and good. If we want to think of this call as being religious, then we must practice the religion that God accepts…not any other form or practice of man-made religion.

Coming back to Peter in closing, he gives his first century audience and us as well two important reminders,

¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 and

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” 1 Peter 2:15

When Christ returns it is the “goodness” of God’s people reflected and manifested into the world that will judge men, not some particular religious tradition, practice, denomination, or secret knowledge. The world will be convicted, judged and sentenced because they rejected, they walked away from goodness, holiness, justice and compassion.

We need to examine ourselves CAREFULLY that we don’t “justify” ourselves simply by what we DON’T do.

This is why and when there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” They did not do “GOOD” to the least of these. But they thought they were unspotted.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12

One of my favorite commentaries on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is Sit, Walk, Stand. It is about spiritual realities, personal growth and expected Christian development as manifested by faith, fruit, character and courage. The book was published in 1977 by Watchman Nee who spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by Chinese communists.

Sit: Stems from Ephesians 2:6 “raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This analogy of sitting is where we begin our life in Christ: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3. Paul wants his audience, and us, to realize all that has been done for us in the heavenly places, by the Father and through the Son.

Walk: It begins with, “Now therefore, and then what should follow: walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,” Because of all that has been done for us, because of our faith we must bear fruit. Our manner of life must change. This is where repentance is manifested.

Stand: Is the last of Nee’s trilogy of perspectives on our spiritual stances: in Christ, through Christ and seen in the world. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” And further, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:10, 14

Today, I want to focus on thoughts connected to our WALK. As stated by Paul earlier in the letter Ephesians 2:8-10, we are God’s workmanship, created for good work, that we should walk in them. It is a spiritual and practical blessing to be given and empowered to do good. In Ephesians 4:10-12, Paul reminds us that Christ, as the head of His church, gave the apostles, the prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for WORKS OF MINISTRY and the edifying of the body of Christ.

What then are these works of ministry? What is included or excluded? Why should we do them? How are they to be done? This verse draws many elements together. It is purposeful and by design. These works for which the gifts [those people appointed] are given and for which we are equipped, take us back to Paul’s previous epiphany, we are [by faith/grace] God’s workmanship, created and intended to do good work. See also Titus 2:14 which refers to the intention of our redemption: people zealous for good work.

Let me suggest, whatever these good works and works of ministry are, they must include work and ministry that defines “pure and undefiled” religion. James 1:27

How then are evangelists, pastors, teachers equipping the saints to “care for the fatherless and the widow”? And to avoid pointing fingers, how are we the saints responding to their equipping efforts?

Here is what we have seen over the past several years. first, eyes must be opened to the need for "pure religion” and that it is a mandate for God’s people. Second, local church leaders play a significant role in the challenge of this awareness, pointing out the “WHAT” and the “WHY” we should be involved. And thirdly, like in Acts 6, the apostles confirmed the validity and necessity of this ministry but the HOW, was delegated to local brethren, “seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;” Acts 6:3.

What was the result of these what, why and how categories? “And the saying pleased the whole multitude…Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,” Acts 6:7.

We have seen after many years HOW individual Christians can care for the fatherless by giving them homes, a place at the table and raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There are other ways in our own congregation, our own community to help children in need. Stay tuned and remember how much Jesus loved the little children, especially when he said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. Matthew 19:13-14

“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner” Hebrews 6:9

The writer of Hebrews has as his theme the idea of “better”.

His aim is to convince the Jewish audience that Jesus is better: than the angels, than the prophets, than Moses. His priesthood is better than Aaron’s. His new covenant is better than the old. His blood is better than that of bulls and goats. In every way, in every category the writer addresses, Jesus is better.

And so, he continues with his confidence in his hearers that they will mature and grow past the elementary things of their faith. They will do better. Better than just “having faith”, just believing in Jesus, better than just believing in his resurrection, better than just talking [discussions] about elementary principles.

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.” Hebrews 6:1-3

The author and admonisher elaborates on “things that accompany salvation”.

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12

It is our work and labor[s] of love that must accompany the salvation we receive by faith and grace. There is a purpose, goal, and intent NOW in our redemption. It is our restoration to being imaging bearing people. This restoration is of course not possible without redemption, washing, cleansing, purifying, rising to a new transformed life in the kingdom. But we cannot, must not forget that the kingdom has come, we are in it now. We are not waiting for Him to return or for us to go by death to the kingdom at some future time. The gospel was and is the kingdom is coming, it is near [as Jesus announced] and because of his death, burial, and resurrection it is here.

We are so prone to create a false dichotomy, a false competition or false theology between faith and works. Nothing could be further from the gospel, the truth, or the purpose of our salvation. It is not a choice or soteriological distinction we must make between faith and work. It is a soteriological understanding that faith produces fruit.

This powerful author reminds us that better means more than a set of religious, theological, philosophical, and soteriological maxims. It means manifesting into the world God’s goodness, glory, His name, and His character. This can only be seen in what we do.

The exhortation to better things is portrayed as “work and labor of love.” This writer [who may be Paul] is not alone and this is not the only place the ideas of work, labor of love, works of ministry, and good deeds are mentioned, commanded, and expected in the New Testament and of God’s people.

Consider the few following examples.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” Ephesians 4:11-13. Notice the words “perfect man”, and “stature of the fullness of Christ [being his image].

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.’ Titus 2:11-14. Notice the words, “salvation”, redeem[ed], purify, special people and for good works.

Faith with works isn’t just [in fact] better than faith without works it is better to the degree that something alive is better than something that is dead.

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? “James 2:18-20

Peter, like Paul and the Hebrew writer prepares his audience for trials, persecutions and other adversities. He exhorts:

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation…[and] or this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—”! Peter 2: 12, 15

Is there anything in these admonitions, these exhortations, these commands, and expectations…that these labors, work, ministries are easy, convenient, or optional? But. There is every promise, hope and confidence that He is not unjust, He will not forget, He will reward everyone “according to their work.”

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

Let’s go to work.