Good works of ourselves?

[Sultan_Of_Swing]

In defence of “faith and works” I’ve heard quite a few Catholics say that our good works are not of ourselves but are of Christ working through us and enabling us to perform such works.

So all the good works we do, are they really God’s and not ours?

And what of non-believers? When they do good works, surely it is of their own power? Or is Christ working through them too?

Philippians 2:13 comes to mind: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

 

[Sirach2]

What did Christ say to St. Paul? Saul, Saul, why are you are persecuting ME? If those who oppose Christ can persecute the Lord Himself in what we they unto others, doesn’t it follow that others who are “in Christ” perform works that He inspires through the Spirit?

One of my most favorite prayers in mass is this: “Through HIM, and with HIM, and in HIM, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.”

How do you believe Catholics interpret that?

There is another older mass prayer in Eucharistic Prayer IV that has also spoken to me powerfully. “And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him, he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father, as His first gift to those who believe, to complete his work on earth and bring us to the fullness of grace.”

Awesome, when you truly understand the power we have do cooperate with grace and do works in His Spirit.

 

[bzkoss236]

In defence of “faith and works” I’ve heard quite a few Catholics say that our good works are not of ourselves but are of Christ working through us and enabling us to perform such works.

So all the good works we do, are they really God’s and not ours?

This is usually how I see it: God is good because He is the standard by which all good is measured, and so anyone (even non-Christians) who do good, wouldn’t they be acting according to God’s will? Some Christians seem to think that it is an all or nothing deal, that if you are not Christian, you can’t do good works, or for someone who isn’t a Christian, that their good works count for nothing. But if all good is of God (comes from God, as God is said to be the SOURCE of all good), and good works are evidence of faith, wouldn’t that show that even though someone isn’t a Christian, they have some measure of faith? We can even see in the bible that faith is not an all or nothing deal (or a “you either have it or you don’t”), especially where it says that even a faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. This is metaphor, but it shows that faith can come in varying degrees, but even the smallest of faith can bring about a great good.

And what of non-believers? When they do good works, surely it is of their own power? Or is Christ working through them too?"

Given what I said above, I would say that even their good is of God.

 

[steido01]

In defence of “faith and works” I’ve heard quite a few Catholics say that our good works are not of ourselves but are of Christ working through us and enabling us to perform such works.

So all the good works we do, are they really God’s and not ours?

Soli Deo gloria! This is a wonderfully Lutheran understanding of the relationship between faith and works.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Gal. 2:20

And what of non-believers? When they do good works, surely it is of their own power? Or is Christ working through them too?

This is a topic that many apologists - Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant alike - have debated at length. We know that salvation does not exist outside of Jesus (I recall Pope Francis recently reiterating this point), but is it possible for someone to know Him outside of the church? Similarly, we know that faith commands good works. But ultimately, if a good work is done without faith, is it a good work at all? Different scholars have reached different conclusions, but we know that only God can judge the heart - and He is more merciful than any of us could ever deserve.

 

[abon12]

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Gal. 2:20

Everything for the honor and glory of God! The only reason we can do good, is not by our own accord, but by the grace of Christ. Offer everything to Him, and never be prideful of your own doings, because without Him we are nothing.