Maintaining good works

[phillip]

Are good works essential for salvation?  Of course, not!  Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."  But the next verse, verse 10, answers our question.  Verse 10 says, "For we are His workmanship in Christ Jesus, created unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk in them."  Good works are a testimony unto the unsaved world that we as Christians should be doing! 

Titus 3:8 says, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.  These things are good and profitable unto men."  Good works are important for us to do with a heart of love and devotion for our Lord.  I Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."  At the judgment seat of Jesus Christ, we will be rewarded for our good works if they are done for His honor and glory.