Good Works

"...the Lord first accepts the person before He accepts the action.  Men, indeed, accept the persons of men because they do good actions; but God accepts the actions of men because their persons are good."  Jeremiah Burroughs

Here are some thoughts that come to mind after reading Burroughs comments.

1.  Good works do not make us right with God.
We can perform all the good deeds we feel compelled to act on, but it does not move us an inch closer to salvation.  This is because salvation is a free gift from God.  It cannot be earned or bought by human effort.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

2.  Good works are not the way to please God.
In God's economy, our good works are not pleasing to Him, unless we are His.   The way to please God is to first submit your life to Him, then become a living sacrifice so that He can use you they way He desires.  Once you are His, He will then direct you to the works that He has prepared for you.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  Romans 12:1

 3.  Good works are done out of love
The motivating factors for doing good is our love for God and our love for those he loves.  Jesus came to this earth to demonstrate the love of God by sharing the good news and doing good works, therefore we believers should be doing the same.  With our words we should let others know that God loves them.  With our actions we should demonstrate the love of God to everyone we come in contact with.
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.  Col 2:6