Good Deed Doers

      "Back where I come from, there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds.  They are called...er...uh...um...good deed doers, and their hearts are no bigger than yours, but they have one thing you haven't got.  A testimonial."  -The Wizard of Oz to the Tin Man

    

     Keep the above quote in mind.  

     I have a question.  What constitutes missionary work?  Think of missionaries all over the world.  What kinds of things do they do?  Some of them build houses for homeless families.  Some feed the hungry.  Some help with relief efforts in the midst of famine and war.  Doing good in Jesus' name is right and godly.  Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  

     Where I have a concern is when these good deeds overshadow the real reason behind why we serve--Jesus.  Doing good deeds apart from Christ's name makes us no better than the Wizard of Oz's "good deed doer" friends.  Heaven and Hell are realities long after the good deeds we did are forgotten.  People have needs--needs for food, safety and shelter.  We should be meeting those needs, but not at the exclusion of their greatest need--salvation!  This good deed ministry apart from evangelistic ministry is known as the social gospel.  It is my belief that the social gospel wishes people well on their trip to a Christless eternity in hell, all while everyone feels good and has warm fuzzies along the way.  Please do not fall into this trap.  

     My husband and I have a personal conviction that we will neither give to nor participate in any mission project that excludes the actual Gospel message. Below are some ministries we endorse, and give to as we are able (this is in addition to our own ministry that we serve in).  

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     A church we were a part of had a missions project where they bought crayons for every public school child in the city.  My problem with that is, what happens to these children after the school day is over?  What about when they no longer play with crayons?  How does giving them crayons fulfill the Great Commission?  It's a nice thing to do, but it fits better with being a "good deed doer" than a missionary.  A caveat I'll give is that, if you give the crayons out as a first step to really reach them with the real Gospel message, and there is a strong, definite plan, I could get behind that.  But if it's just a nice thing to do so they'll see how nice the church people are and might want to come to church as a result, I'm sorry that's pretty weak evangelism.  In fact, it's not evangelism.  I never saw anyone come to our church as a result of being given crayons.  

     I was recently asked to give a missions talk with a group of children, and for the activity, we were supposed to make cards for all the public school teachers in our area, telling them they're doing a great job.  The truth is, this isn't mission work.  It's kind.  I'm all for kind.  But to call that missionary work is a misnomer.  Secondly, I don't know these teachers, so I don't know if they're doing a good job or not.  Our local school district is one of the lowest performing districts in the state.  This would lead me to conclude that perhaps they are not doing a good job (and I have worked in public schools myself, so I know that it isn't primarily the teacher's fault.  I'm just making a point that it seemed odd that I was being asked to tell people I didn't know what a great job they were doing).  Third, I don't know if these teachers are the types who pray for their students before school, and depend on the Lord in their teaching, or if they are pushing a dark agenda, trying to convince boys they're really girls (there is a lot of that in our schools).  As such, I don't feel right just telling teachers I don't know they are doing a great job--and then calling that missionary work.  Churches building relationships with schools is great--if it leads to the church members being able to share Christ with the school personnel and students.  Just being nice isn't what we're called to do.  

     I know Christians who work in public schools, and are that witness.  Quietly, prayerfully, they get truth to students.  Some of them plant a seed of doubt about the validity of Evolution, getting students to seek out the truth, rather than just blindly following a faulty, godless theory.  Some of them, as I already said, show up early and pray for every child by name, maybe being the only person on earth who prays for a specific child.  Some use the celebration of holidays to share truth.  Some are so loving and caring and personal that the student's see Jesus clearly (and by the way, that takes work and dedication--not just doing good deeds).  This is a mission some Christians are called to.  Christians are the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14).  God places us different places, including schools.  I was there (working in public education) at one point.  I say this to illustrate that I am not in any way writing this post in criticism of public school teachers at all.  My critique is on what people call missionary work, and where their resources are going.  What these Christian public school employees are doing is much more missionary-minded that just making cards for people.  

     Jesus said in Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.  The power from the Holy Spirit is for proclaiming Christ, not being nice.  Would we even have the Gospel today if the early apostles had just been nice to everyone, building long-term relationships with the Romans in hopes that the Romans would say, "Gee, there's something different about these people.  I think I'll ask them about it!"  People act as if that's this realistic scenario, but it is actually very rare.  It would have been ridiculous in First Century Israel, and it is just as ridiculous now.  The Apostle Paul didn't just give out cards, telling people they were doing a good job.  He preached Christ, and Christ crucified (First Corinthians 2:2).  He told people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.  And he was willing to die for the cause of Christ (which he eventually did).  Such a far cry from giving out cards and candy.  

     I always feel mean for being so uncomfortable with good deed doers.  It's right to do good deeds.  I just object to referring to it as missions, or for missionary offerings (which were given to promote the Gospel) support and fund these projects.  It bothers me when attention is given to solve less urgent needs without addressing the greater need of salvation as well.  To quote Jesus, You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.  Do the good deeds, but don't neglect the Gospel.  

     As the Wizard told the Tin Man, we need not only a heart to do good, but a testimonial!  Or, rather, a testimony.  What has Christ done for you that you can share with someone who doesn't know Him?  

Evidence that Convicts

     The quote below is often shared as a thought-provoking idea.  I've heard this phrase used as a challenge to go further in living out the Christian life.  Other times, I've seen it as a guilt-producing statement made by controlling leaders who wanted to assert that people aren't doing enough.  According to what I was able to discover, this quote originated about 90 years ago (the 1930's), and it was popularized by 39th US President Jimmy Carter in the late 70's.  If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  

     This quote assumes you want to be convicted in this case.  It is, in essence, asking, Can others tell you're a Christian?  The phrase supposes the evidence that would allegedly convict you would be your works.  Is it true?  Do our good deeds prove our faith?  In a sense, yes.  James 2:18 says, show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  Matthew 5:16 likewise says, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has good deeds planned ahead of time for us to do!  Jesus gave an even more specific comment on this at the Last Supper, when He told His disciples, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  Our love for each other will alert others to our faith.  

    So, we have some scriptures that point to what we should be doing to prove our faith to a watching world: good works, and love for one another.  These things should authenticate our testimony.  However, these things must never, ever take the place of our testimony.  To go back to the quote I started with, these good deeds can't be our only "evidence."  If they are evidence, they are circumstantial--not enough to convict by themselves.  Why?  

     Are born again Christians the only ones on earth who do good deeds?  No!  There are many unsaved people who try to help their fellowman.  They are humans created in the image of God, and He has placed good traits in them, as He has in everyone.  These people are wonderful; they just aren't saved (yet, but hopefully will be!).  If doing good deeds were the only evidence of salvation, we would have to erroneously conclude these unbelieving do-gooders are also Christians.  

     Doing good deeds should be the result of our faith in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives, but doing good deeds isn't what makes us Christians to begin with.  As such, doing good isn't convincing evidence by itself.  

     What does a person need to do to be a Christian?  According to Acts 16:31, we are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  If a person has professed faith in Christ as the Savior, that profession is convicting evidence.  Other things, such as being aligned with a church that preaches Christian doctrine from the Bible, and outwardly sharing one's salvation in Jesus, would also be convicting evidence, because someone who isn't a believer likely wouldn't be doing these things.  Again, though, these things are results of faith, not a means of achieving it.  

     I believe scripture gives us the Apostle Paul's answer to the question, If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  I believe he would dispense with the evidence gathering, and just preach the gospel, giving his accusers what they need to resolve the case.  Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (First Corinthians 9:16).  But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Second Timothy 4:5).  

     Last weekend, Little Rock, Arkansas (my city of residence) was hit by a devastating tornado.  The Christians in our city have really stepped up in reaching out to our hurting community.  

Some initial pictures I took of the damage near our house--the tornado was a quarter mile from us.  There is much worse!

     My husband, little boy and I were able to participate in a few different relief efforts.  Below, little Tommy is seen helping with the clean-up at a church that partners with our ministry, and was badly damaged.  

     Our church (the church we actually attend) has majorly served the needy in Jesus' name.  They have become a hub for the relief efforts in the area, and other organizations are partnering with them.  These are good works that God put before the believers here.  It would have been cruel and useless if we had simply given Bibles to these displaced people who lost everything, and told them "God bless you!" but didn't actually try to help their other needs as well.  James 2:15-16 addresses this: If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  We need to be showing love to the whole person.  However, I meet many who go the opposite extreme, always meeting physical needs without considering the spiritual, and that's wrong too.  We already saw what Paul stated in First Corinthians 9:16 and Second Timothy 4:5.  Jesus Himself said we are to Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16:15).  Hand in hand, these things (doing good to others, and preaching the gospel to back up the reason for the good works) would certainly be the evidence needed!  I believe that is happening in Little Rock right now. 

     My family was able to share Christ with families in North Little Rock (partnering with another ministry that was meeting physical needs--pictured above), and our church has been giving daily reports of those they have been helping, including some who have been led to a saving knowledge of Christ!  This is what happens when there's evidence that convicts!  

     So is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?  Don't wait for the trial!  Preach the gospel right away, and rise to any occasion the Lord provides to server others.