tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769992.post4226006746962426654..comments2023-10-09T12:58:19.050-04:00Comments on Thoughts of a Freed Captive: Pure WorksJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631006365916798557noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769992.post-75335983790117447702010-08-25T16:39:01.675-04:002010-08-25T16:39:01.675-04:00The way I look at it is "why am I performing ...The way I look at it is "why am I performing this 'good deed'"? <br /><br />Am I performing it for those around me - such that they will know that I am a 'good person'? Then I am doing it out of pride. <br /><br />Am I doing it to ease the pain or suffering of another person? Then I am doing it out of compassion, but not selflessly as by completing the act I am easing my own conscience. <br /><br />Am I doing it to please Christ, or somehow repay Him for His gift of salvation? Then I am as a homeless man who is given a 10,000 sq ft mansion and in response offers to pay the giver for the house with my shoes and the change in my pockets. There is no more offensive act than to attempt to pay back a gracious gift. <br /><br />Am I completing this good deed because I am wishing to work FOR Christ, working off my sins until I can be forgiven again at confession or mass, then I've missed the point of grace entirely and my salvation then hinges on my own works, not that of Christ on my behalf. <br /><br />If I am doing this good deed, however, in light of what Jesus has done for me on my behalf, and I choose to humble myself as He did in service to others - partnering with Him in the work that He began, then I am doing a truly good work in that I point all of the benefit not to myself or to my own credit, but to the One who has already completed a good work within me. My 'good deed' then becomes a reflection of His good work and my involvement is produced as a result of the Holy Spirit leading me in service, to make Jesus' name great and to glorify the Father in Heaven. <br /><br />Great post!Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621037886269938644noreply@blogger.com