Do Good, But NOT For God’s Sake

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Part 3 –
Do Good, But NOT For God’s Sake
Building off of the last program, this episode enumerates several Biblical examples where unbelievers, based on natural endowments, divine influence and/or self-interest, do in fact produce externally good works. God has given all men a natural desire to take care of their children, so “evil” men give “good gifts.” (Luke 11:13) God can lay His agenda on the heart of kings, even to the point where they’re “anointed” to do His will (Cyrus, Isaiah 45:1) Lastly, the unjust judge in Luke 18:4-5 ended up rendering justice to a destitute widow, just to get put an end to her persistent nagging. Yet none of the above “good” works meets the standard of good works according to God, where outwardly good works flow from pure love of God and neighbor. This episode answers a common query over the possibility of good works, especially among nonbelieving philanthropists.

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  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:35 – Can Non-Christians Do Good Works?
  • 00:01:06 – The Biblical Standard for Good Works
  • 00:02:24 – Good Works Without God’s Involvement
  • 00:04:24 – Philanthropy and Its True Motives
  • 00:06:02 – The Example of the Unjust Judge
  • 00:08:42 – Foundation of Good Works in Christ
  • 00:11:02 – The Role of the Holy Spirit in Transformation
  • 00:12:43 – Closing Prayer and Reflection
Part 3 –
Do Good, But NOT For God’s Sake

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

  • 00:00:12 – Introduction to Kingdom Questions
  • 00:00:35 – Can Non-Christians Do Good Works?
  • 00:01:06 – The Biblical Standard for Good Works
  • 00:02:24 – Good Works Without God’s Involvement
  • 00:04:24 – Philanthropy and Its True Motives
  • 00:06:02 – The Example of the Unjust Judge
  • 00:08:42 – Foundation of Good Works in Christ
  • 00:11:02 – The Role of the Holy Spirit in Transformation
  • 00:12:43 – Closing Prayer and Reflection
Building off of the last program, this episode enumerates several Biblical examples where unbelievers, based on natural endowments, divine influence and/or self-interest, do in fact produce externally good works. God has given all men a natural desire to take care of their children, so “evil” men give “good gifts.” (Luke 11:13) God can lay His agenda on the heart of kings, even to the point where they’re “anointed” to do His will (Cyrus, Isaiah 45:1) Lastly, the unjust judge in Luke 18:4-5 ended up rendering justice to a destitute widow, just to get put an end to her persistent nagging. Yet none of the above “good” works meets the standard of good works according to God, where outwardly good works flow from pure love of God and neighbor. This episode answers a common query over the possibility of good works, especially among nonbelieving philanthropists.

Episode Scripture References -

Luke 11:13, Matthew 22:37-39, Romans 3:23, Proverbs 21:1, Luke 18:4-5, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 45:1

More About This Episode -

Victor opens the discussion by referencing a passage from Luke 11, suggesting that even those who are deemed “evil” can give good gifts, implying that good works can be produced externally by anyone. However, he emphasizes that true good works should arise from a heart that loves God and neighbors, aligning actions with God’s perfect standard. He discusses the idea that unbelievers can indeed perform good works, but these actions do not achieve God’s perfection as they lack the intention to glorify Him. Victor highlights that while many non-Christians may be excellent philanthropists, their motivations often do not include a focus on God, which is essential for a work to qualify as truly good in a biblical sense. Victor encourages listeners to consider the underlying motives of their actions, suggesting that external good works devoid of a transformed heart do not meet God’s standard. He uses the example of an unjust judge from Luke 18, who performs justice for self-serving reasons rather than from goodness or God-fearing intentions. This further illustrates his point that good works must stem from an internal desire to honor God to truly qualify as good. The discussion then shifts to how God can use ungodly or unbroken individuals, such as the ancient king Cyrus, to accomplish His plans, despite their hearts not being aligned with Him. Victor stresses that while God can bring about good through anyone, the true good works recognized by God must align with a heart transformed by His grace. He concludes with a focus on the sanctification process believers undergo through the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the goal is to be increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, resulting in genuinely good works. Victor calls for believers to seek a heart transformation to produce works that reflect the love of God.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Discussion starts with Luke 11, indicating even “evil” individuals can perform good works – True good works should arise from a heart that loves God and neighbors – Unbelievers can perform good works, but they lack the intention to glorify God – Importance of motivations behind actions; external good works without transformed hearts do not meet God’s standard – Example of the unjust judge from Luke 18 to illustrate self-serving motivations – God can use ungodly individuals (e.g., King Cyrus) to accomplish His plans, despite their misaligned hearts – True good works recognized by God require a heart transformed by grace – Emphasis on the sanctification process through the Holy Spirit, aiming to conform to the image of Christ – Call for believers to seek heart transformation for genuinely good works

Episode Scripture References -

Luke 11:13, Matthew 22:37-39, Romans 3:23, Proverbs 21:1, Luke 18:4-5, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 45:1

More About This Episode -

Victor opens the discussion by referencing a passage from Luke 11, suggesting that even those who are deemed “evil” can give good gifts, implying that good works can be produced externally by anyone. However, he emphasizes that true good works should arise from a heart that loves God and neighbors, aligning actions with God’s perfect standard. He discusses the idea that unbelievers can indeed perform good works, but these actions do not achieve God’s perfection as they lack the intention to glorify Him. Victor highlights that while many non-Christians may be excellent philanthropists, their motivations often do not include a focus on God, which is essential for a work to qualify as truly good in a biblical sense. Victor encourages listeners to consider the underlying motives of their actions, suggesting that external good works devoid of a transformed heart do not meet God’s standard. He uses the example of an unjust judge from Luke 18, who performs justice for self-serving reasons rather than from goodness or God-fearing intentions. This further illustrates his point that good works must stem from an internal desire to honor God to truly qualify as good. The discussion then shifts to how God can use ungodly or unbroken individuals, such as the ancient king Cyrus, to accomplish His plans, despite their hearts not being aligned with Him. Victor stresses that while God can bring about good through anyone, the true good works recognized by God must align with a heart transformed by His grace. He concludes with a focus on the sanctification process believers undergo through the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the goal is to be increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, resulting in genuinely good works. Victor calls for believers to seek a heart transformation to produce works that reflect the love of God.

Key Terms From This Episode -

– Discussion starts with Luke 11, indicating even “evil” individuals can perform good works – True good works should arise from a heart that loves God and neighbors – Unbelievers can perform good works, but they lack the intention to glorify God – Importance of motivations behind actions; external good works without transformed hearts do not meet God’s standard – Example of the unjust judge from Luke 18 to illustrate self-serving motivations – God can use ungodly individuals (e.g., King Cyrus) to accomplish His plans, despite their misaligned hearts – True good works recognized by God require a heart transformed by grace – Emphasis on the sanctification process through the Holy Spirit, aiming to conform to the image of Christ – Call for believers to seek heart transformation for genuinely good works
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