“I know ye not, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.”
(Luke 13:27)
One of the greatest concerns among Christian communities today is the disproportionate level of knowledge to action… or rather what we might call resting in an acquired knowledge of God and His Word short of a change in behavior. We have moved from a place of relatively little knowledge to one of knowledge alone (which will increase our degree of judgment, by the way), and from the overvaluing of works to the neglect of them. Surely, the error of works without knowledge is less dangerous than the error of knowledge without works.
For while Scripture affirms that works cannot earn salvation, some choose to think that works have no place at all in the believer’s life and are therefore useless. Others, being persuaded of their use are yet slow to do good and instead rest in their knowledge alone. It is a great shame that so much knowledge of God should be wasted “while it is yet day,” for the night is coming when no man can work (John 9:4).
But more importantly, the body of Christ has no dead or unprofitable limbs; either His children bear fruit or they are not His, because faith only lives when it is active (James 2:26). If faith that does not work is dead, and dead faith does not quicken the soul, the inactive believer may find himself without spiritual life. And because it is Christ who works in us, these good works are acceptable to God and valuable to His kingdom. So although good works do not justify us, they do justify our faith in the sight of men. They give strong evidence to the Spirit of life residing within us.
Good works are also valuable in regard to the benefit they do mankind. Surely to a God-honoring believer there is nothing more rewarding than to do good. For as he delights to please his Maker, so he rejoices to profit his neighbor.
Ultimately, our good works move others to lift up their hearts and eyes to the heavenly Father, to glorify Him that gives such gifts to broken and corrupted vessels. Whenever God is glorified by man, the man that glorifies Him shall be blessed by Him. And whenever glory is given to God on high, peace and goodwill shall be bestowed on men below.
How wonderful to know that the soul rooted in Christ has from this root the life of love, divine and human, which expresses itself outwardly in the fruit of good actions.
Contemplations:
- Idle Knowledge, Active Faith: “I know ye not, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity,” (Luke 13:27). These words echo in my mind, a chilling reminder of the danger in resting solely in knowledge without action. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that knowing is enough, that understanding the teachings of Christ is sufficient. But the truth is stark—knowledge without works is barren. Faith, when left inactive, dies. It is not enough to learn the will of the Father; I must do it. The light of understanding was given to me not to bask in, but to work by. If I do not let this light fuel my actions, then my faith, too, shall wither and become a mere shadow of what it should be. Christ demands more than idle belief; He calls for a living faith, one that is evidenced by the works I produce. Without them, I risk hearing that dreadful sentence, “I know ye not,” and finding myself cast away, not for lack of knowledge, but for lack of action.
- The Divine Spark in Good Works: Good works are not just acts of human effort; they are the sparks of a divine fire that originate from the very essence of God. So when I do good works, I am taking part in something far greater than myself, something that has its source in the Almighty. God is light and God is love, and so these works carry within them the qualities of light and love. There is also a beauty and a power in these actions, a reflection of the divine nature that infused them. Every good work, no matter how small, is precious to God and will be rewarded by Him. So as I go about my life, I want to remember that my actions are more than just deeds—they are expressions of the divine life within me, and they glorify God when done in His name.
- Works as Evidence of Salvation: The value of works goes beyond just moral duty—they are the evidence of the Spirit of life within me. Just as faith without works is dead, so too the evidence of my salvation is tied to the works I produce. These works are not the means of my salvation, but they testify to the reality of my faith. They are like the dew that refreshes the earth, nourishing the dry and thirsty soul with the evidence of God’s presence. To neglect good works is to neglect the very signs that point to my salvation. It would be foolish to be so nonchalant about outer evidence to my inner faith.
- The Joy of Doing Good: There is a deep joy in doing good, a joy that comes not just from the act itself but from the knowledge that it pleases my Maker and benefits my neighbor. Good works are like the dew of heaven, refreshing and nourishing those around me. When I do good, I am participating in God’s work and am reminded that whenever God is glorified by man, that man shall be blessed by God. This cycle of blessing not only benefits others but also brings peace and goodwill to my own soul. This is the reward of good works—a joy that flows from God, through me, and back to Him in a continuous exchange of love and grace.
Further References for Luke 13:27:
Matthew 7:23; Psalm 6:8; Matt. 25:41; Luke 13:25
