When a person’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote that as Christians, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Webster’s Dictionary defines an ambassador as an individual who is an authorized representative or messenger. As ambassadors for Christ, our lives should be pleasing to the Lord. However, if we are not saved by our merit and we cannot be snatched away (John 10:28), why is it still important to do good works?
Scripture gives the following reasons:
- Jesus called us to be salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16)
- We were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)
- Faith without works is dead. Although we are saved through faith in Christ alone, good works lead out of a genuine faith (James 3:26).
Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a person’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” While we may not have people in our lives constantly hunting you down just like Saul against David, “enemies” in today’s context can just be people who just don’t get along with you. They can be a family member, a coworker, or anyone else that you are in constant contact with. In this verse, Solomon advises us to live our lives in such a way that not even our enemies cannot criticize us! On our own strength, this is pretty much impossible. At times it may feel like it is easier to push back instead of living peaceably with others.
Thankfully, by the help of the Holy Spirit, we can live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. He is the one who works our hearts to become more like Jesus day by day. It is only by grace that allows us to become the salt and light that Jesus commanded us to be. Let us remember that we do good works not for our own glory, but to God’s glory alone.