What are good works?

[pilgrim_NL]

What is the Roman Catholic definition of good works, and how many does one need to do to merit eternal life, and what if one fails in doing enough good works?

 

[MaryT777]

Welcome to the forums; I’ll await someone more eloquent than I to express the Cathlic view of good works.

 

[SJacob7]

What is the Roman Catholic definition of good works, and how many does one need to do to merit eternal life, and what if one fails in doing enough good works?

That question was asked by a group of people to Jesus over 2000 years ago. This is what Jesus said:

John 6:28-29 (RSVCE)

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 

[pilgrim_NL]

So when the Scriptures exhort believers to do good works it is refering to believing in Him whom God has send?

 

[Returner]

It would be nice if someone lists some examples of good works.

I too don’t know what they are.

 

[chefmomster2]

What is the Roman Catholic definition of good works, and how many does one need to do to merit eternal life, and what if one fails in doing enough good works?

The best definition of good works:

NABRE Matthew 25
The Judgment of the Nations.*
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
32 and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
37 Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’
45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’
46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

There is no specific number because the fact is that no one can possibly “merit” heaven.

CCC: MERIT

You are glorified in the assembly of your Holy Ones, for in crowning their merits you are crowning your own gifts.59

2006 The term “merit” refers in general to the recompense owed by a community or a society for the action of one of its members, experienced either as beneficial or harmful, deserving reward or punishment. Merit is relative to the virtue of justice, in conformity with the principle of equality which governs it.

2007 With regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the part of man. Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality, for we have received everything from him, our Creator.

2008 The merit of man before God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first on his own initiative, and then follows man’s free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God, then to the faithful. Man’s merit, moreover, itself is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit.

When Catholics suggest the need to do good works in order to be saved, we are reflecting the instructions of scripture:

NABRE James 2
Faith and Works.*
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?i
15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?j
17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.
20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.
23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.”l
24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?m
26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Yes, we were redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. But, we know that there will be a final judgment. We will be judged according to our faith. That faith is reflected in the way we lived. Did we help the poor? Feed the hungry? Honor our parents? Give shelter to the homeless?

True faith is action. It is visible. It is a natural outpouring of the love of God. We don’t do things according to a “requirement” for salvation. We do good works because if we are filled with the love of God we are unable to keep it to ourselves. That faith burns to be shared. It flows from us as the good fruits of the love of God.

If one’s life is not marked by the sharing of love, it is a sign of a lack of acceptance of God’s love and mercy. It demonstrates that we do not wish to be one with Him. It is our freely willed choice that results in our exclusion from heaven.

 

[pilgrim_NL]

Thanks for the scriptural answers. Can you also clarify how I can be sure that these good works are good enough and that God will accept them on judgement day. And also, who can say that everytime they had the opportunity for a good work, they also did it? I certainly can’t. I fail in doing good daily, to my biggest regret. I never know if I have done enough. Matthew 25 does not really leave room for faillure . Also, what does the Tradition of the Church teach on the subject? Next to Scripture.

Greetings.

 

[chaplainmom]

Good works are a result of loving God. “Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me” (Matthew 25:40). So, if you are a mother and you cook dinner for your family and you do it with a good attitude, not begrudgingly, you have done a “good work.” If you are an employee and you go to work on time and you put forth your best honest effort at whatever job you are supposed to be doing, you have done a “good work.” If you are a priest and you show up for a scheduled mass on time, you have done a “good work.” If you are a student and you put forth your best effort to complete your homework assignments, hopeful to learn new things so that you can be of greater service to others in the future, you have done a “good work.” Self-discipline - doing the right thing - along with having faith in God is the path to a good, holy life.

The Protestant Reformation resulted from some unethical actions that the Catholic Church was participating in during the 16th century. Some Catholic leaders were teaching the common people that they could earn their way to heaven by giving the church money. This was wrong. Pope John Paul II apologized for the way the Catholic Church behaved in the past. But this is why some Protestants still give Catholics grief about “good works.” Today Catholics and Lutherans and Methodists all agree on the same statement regarding salvation, good works, and faith. The official document is called the “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.”

As far as how many “good works” you need to do to go to heaven - there is absolutely no end to the good work you are called to do on earth. But none of those good works can be done without God empowering you to do them through His grace. You cannot earn heaven through Good Works. God doesn’t demand you to do good works. God wants your love, not your sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). He just wants you to do the best you can in your vocation in life. He doesn’t want you to work yourself to death trying to do everything, or trying to be perfect. He wants you to find joy in serving others. He wants you to treat other people respectfully, as if they were the baby Jesus.

 

[meltzerboy]

The best definition of good works:

There is no specific number because the fact is that no one can possibly “merit” heaven.

When Catholics suggest the need to do good works in order to be saved, we are reflecting the instructions of scripture:

Yes, we were redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. But, we know that there will be a final judgment. We will be judged according to our faith. That faith is reflected in the way we lived. Did we help the poor? Feed the hungry? Honor our parents? Give shelter to the homeless?

True faith is action. It is visible. It is a natural outpouring of the love of God. We don’t do things according to a “requirement” for salvation. We do good works because if we are filled with the love of God we are unable to keep it to ourselves. That faith burns to be shared. It flows from us as the good fruits of the love of God.

If one’s life is not marked by the sharing of love, it is a sign of a lack of acceptance of God’s love and mercy. It demonstrates that we do not wish to be one with Him. It is our freely willed choice that results in our exclusion from heaven.

Nice summary on the Catholic position concerning the connection between faith and works. Thank you.

 

[Jack007]

Thanks for the scriptural answers. Can you also clarify how I can be sure that these good works are good enough and that God will accept them on judgement day. And also, who can say that everytime they had the opportunity for a good work, they also did it? I certainly can’t. I fail in doing good daily, to my biggest regret. I never know if I have done enough. Matthew 25 does not really leave room for faillure . Also, what does the Tradition of the Church teach on the subject? Next to Scripture.

Greetings.

God gives us plenty of oppurtunities. Use as much as you can.

Good works, simply put, are works done in love. Love is God. Refusing to do good is refusing God.
You cannot measure God, so
there is no good enough deed, good bad deed, bad good deed,etc.

 

[CaptFun]

That question was asked by a group of people to Jesus over 2000 years ago. This is what Jesus said:

John 6:28-29 (RSVCE)

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

And … far from that being the last and only words on the subject, in that same chapter (John 6) Jesus sets forth some things that MUST BE DONE (and not just believed in). Jesus is at His most insistent … repeating things with emphasis as nowhere else and setting what seems to be a “take it or leave it” choice for His hearers that day. Many left. The apostles stayed and (but for Judas) lived to be his delegates on Earth, SENT forth to do “works” like “teach the nations” and “baptizing the nations” authoritatively forgiving (and retaining!) sins in Christ’s power etc.

Christ again speaks in Matthew Chapter 7 regarding the judgement of souls. SOME works are critical, some may have been done (for example confessing Jesus as Lord - in this passage) but come up short due to … let’s call them … “bad works” or evildoing that lead to these souls being rejected. At LEAST for a time … “until the last penny is paid”? or perhaps !

Matthew 7:17 Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So by their fruits you will know them.

21 "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’

23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. 11 Depart from me, you evildoers.’

24 "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

26 And everyone who ***listens to these words of mine but does not act ***on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

28 When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Living a “faith alone” life without any good works to show the Lord at the end of our days would be a deadly mistake.

Matthew 25:11 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’

12 But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

And

Luke 6:45

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

46 "Why do you call me, ’Lord, Lord,' but not do what I command?

Reading the Epistle of James in its entirety and in context deals directly with this question. Also Jesus’ summary of “the law and the prophets” in the Great Commandment (Love God (completely and above all) and … Love Your Neighbor (as yourself)." Good works are always attached to … as opposed to being separated from … those two “loves”. Jesus enumerates some in Matthew 25 as well.

Certain emphases above (underlinings, color, italics, bolding) are mine … germain to this thread IMO.

 

[CaptFun]

It would be nice if someone lists some examples of good works.

I too don’t know what they are.

Let these important ones stand for the rest that are like them (since Jesus Himself enumerates them:

Matthew 25:34 Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,

36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’

37

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Also there are what the Church calls the corporal works of mercy (like these Jesus named) and spiritual works of mercy. We can DO these things and be following Our Lord because HE did them, good works and prayers.

A list of the corporal works of mercy is as follows:

To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To harbour the harbourless;
To visit the sick;
To ransom the captive;
To bury the dead.

The spiritual works of mercy are:

To instruct the ignorant;
To counsel the doubtful;
To admonish sinners;
To bear wrongs patiently;
To forgive offences willingly;
To comfort the afflicted;
To pray for the living and the dead.

newadvent.org/cathen/10198d.htm

 

[chefmomster2]

Sorry to be slow, Pilgrim!

Can you also clarify how I can be sure that these good works are good enough? Who can say that everytime they had the opportunity for a good work, they also did it?, What does the Tradition of the Church teach?

The simple truth is that we can never be “good enough”. That is what is meant when we say that heaven cannont be merited.

Christ was a man. He knows the challenges we face. In union with the Father He created us and knows all of our flaws. We are not expected to be perfect!

In our imperfection we also find a basis for faith! We know we can’t earn heaven. We can only achieve it by the gift of grace and the loving-kindness and mercy of God. It reminds us that we need God. Therefore, we trust in God, have recourse to the Holy Spirit, and give thanks for the great gift of Christ’s death and resurrection.

We must also seek reconciliation for every sin. Nothing is unforgivable! Judas could have turned to God in sorrow for his great evil and been forgiven completely. His mistake was despair. He failed to place himself at the mercy of God. By seeking forgiveness for the wrongs that we do and the times we could have done something and failed to do so we are graced with a return to the favor of God. So when we fail, which we will, we turn to our Father in faith and are fully healed.

As Catholics we also believe that while we have been forgiven fully, we may need to make reparations for our sins. It is not much different from a time we break someone’s window. We ask their forgiveness, but we must pay for their window to be repaired. This means that it is not a heaven or hell question. We believe that if we still “owe for some windows” we will go through a period intended to fully heal us and bring us to perfection. Then we will enter the full glory of heaven. This is essentially what is meant by Purgatory. Again, we aren’t required to be perfect!

This has been a teaching in the Roman Catholic tradition from apostolic times to the time of Martin Luther (who is historically famous for questioning it) in 1517 and continuing to modern times. The Council of Trent addressed this issue directly.

CANON 9: “If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.”

CANON 12: “If any one shall say that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in the divine mercy pardoning sins for Christ’s sake, or that it is that confidence alone by which we are justified . . . let him be accursed”

Canon 23: “lf any one saith, that a man once justified can sin no more, nor lose grace, and that therefore he that falls and sins was never truly justified; or, on the other hand, that he is able, during his whole life, to avoid all sins, even those that are venial,–except by a special privilege from God, as the Church holds in regard of the Blessed Virgin; let him be anathema.”

Canon 30: “If any one saith, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened (to him); let him be anathema.”

Canon 33: “If any one saith, that, by the Catholic doctrine touching Justification, by this holy Synod inset forth in this present decree, the glory of God, or the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ are in any way derogated from, and not rather that the truth of our faith, and the glory in fine of God and of Jesus Christ are rendered (more) illustrious; let him be anathema.”

Here are several quotes from the Fathers of the Church. Tradition, of course, began with the apostles and with Paul. As they taught they gradually defined doctrine and established our many rites and rituals. This is a part of tradition.

“We are justified by our works, not by our words.” St. Clement Of Rome, “First Epistle to the Corinthians,” c. 96 A.D.

“But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work.” St. Clement Of Rome, “First Epistle to the Corinthians,” c. 96 A.D.

“It is requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-doing; for of Him are all things. And thus He forewarns us: ‘Behold, the Lord [cometh], and His reward is before His face, to render to every man according to his work.’ He exhorts us, therefore, with our whole heart to attend to this, that we be not lazy or slothful in any good work.” St. Clement Of Rome, “First Epistle to the Corinthians,” c. 96 A.D.

“The way of light, then, is as follows. If anyone desires to travel to the appointed place, he must be zealous in his works.” St. Barnabas, “Epistle of St. Barnabas,” c. 70-130 A.D.

“Each man goes to everlasting punishment or salvation according to the value of his actions.” St. Justin Martyr, “First Apology,” c. 160 A.D.

“Let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood not to be Christians, even though they profess with the lips the teachings of Christ. For it is not those who make profession, but those who do the works, who will be saved.” St. Justin Martyr, c. 160 A.D.

“The matters of our religion lie in works, not in words.” St. Justin Martyr, “First Apology,” c. 160 A.D.

“This shows that transgressions are blotted out and that reconciliation is made for sins. But who are the ones who have reconciliation made for their sins - except those who believe on His name and propitiate His countenance by good works?” St. Hippolytus, “The Extant Works And Fragments Of Hippolytus,” c. 205 A.D.

 

[chefmomster2]

Nice summary on the Catholic position concerning the connection between faith and works. Thank you.

Kind of you to say so!

 

[chefmomster2]

Think of it this way. Faith isn’t just talking the talk. We must walk the walk.

 

[clem456]

Thanks for the scriptural answers. Can you also clarify how I can be sure that these good works are good enough and that God will accept them on judgement day.

It would helpful to explore the difference between a covenant and a contract. A contract has strict legal requirements that must be fulfilled to avoid failure. A covenant relationship is a much different thing. Christ came, not to subject us to damnation by requirement, but to reconcile us in right relationship to God.

By the same token, if you want to claim right relationship with God, your works will reflect that. You will obey because you listen to God with love and desire to work for His kingdom. Your walk will reflect your talk.

And also, who can say that everytime they had the opportunity for a good work, they also did it? I certainly can’t. I fail in doing good daily, to my biggest regret. I never know if I have done enough. Matthew 25 does not really leave room for faillure . Also, what does the Tradition of the Church teach on the subject? Next to Scripture.

Greetings.

We all fall short without exception. God is all powerful, we are not. Trust in God’s mercy.
Trust Trust Trust.

 

[Duane1966]

1.) Know that whatever you do, God will multiply. People see the good that you do and they want to be a part of it. God cannot multiply if you do nothing. (Parable of the talents).

2.) Evangelization to those who heard the word and are lukewarm about it, or to those who have never heard, are also works. (Parable of the harvest and too few laborers).

3.) Just about any kind of volunteering is works. The local food bank always needs help and I know it, yet often I say to myself "I should help out but there Is a million things that need to be done around my house. Or worse I say I am “too tired from work” but then at home I sit in front of the TV and veg, and NOTHING gets done. Or I could evangelize but I wonder what my friends or co-workers will think of me. (The parable of the sower, the seeds fall on people who hear with joy, but they let everyday life get in the way (<<that’s my problem, one of many I might add) and so the message languishes and sometimes dies).

4.) Holy cow. There are a ton of Jesus’ parables that are about works.

5.) The best part about doing “works”? You feel great afterwards.

 

[HelenRose]

I think Mother Teresa can guide us in this discussion:

“We can never know how much good a simple smile can do.”

“Be faithful in little things, for in them our strength lies. We may not be able to give much but we can always give the joy that springs in a heart that is in love with God.”

“It is not how much we do,
but how much love we put in the doing.
It is not how much we give,
but how much love we put in the giving.”

“We can do no great things;
only small things with great love.”

… Blessed Mother Teresa

 

[Googler]

We can start by being kind to others. :console:

We take away Jesus’ thorns by making acts of love.

Lots of stuff about ‘works’ HERE. :coffeeread: