All God's gonna look at is if we did His will.  He set out good works in advance, for us to walk in them. He has a unique plan for each one of us.  Maybe one person has been called to evangelize the masses, while another is asked to lead a small women's Bible study, and yet another is simply called to work the soup kitchen. We are ALL called to do the work of an evangelist, but sometimes evangelizing is simply living it. Being a walking billboard of Jesus and His awesomeness.

So that's the question to ask:  Am I walking in Gods' will for me?  and really, that's all that matters.  :)

Matthew 7:21-23 ( ESV )
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

He also said:

I suggest that deeds that are carried out “in God” are not just the good things that we do from ourselves; the things that we do for God.  Jesus told us that there is no one who is good except God alone.  We also know that what Jesus did can be defined in the words of Peter in Acts 2:26.

Acts 2:22 ( ESV )
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

So would you think that the works that Jesus did were works that “he” did, that they were works that Jesus did for God, or works that God did through Jesus?  The previous scripture, of course, gives the answer.  The question is: does it matter at all what Peter said or do we just have greater revelation?

Peter also reminds us of our redemption in Christ but also our deeds!

1 Peter 1:17-19 ( ESV )
And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,  knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,  but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 

Revelation 19:7-8 ( ESV )
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come,  and his Bride has made herself ready;  it was granted her to clothe herself  with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

The deeds that are being spoken to are the deeds that God in Christ, does through us.  Grace is not only given for the forgiveness of our sins but also to walk in the Spirit, abiding in Christ.  This relationship can especially be seen in the following verses:

Ephesians 2:8-10 ( ESV )
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 
not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The works of God are works that He has prepared already, we merely “walk in them.”  And at the judgment we will say with Paul:

Romans 15:17-19 ( ESV )
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.  For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,  by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 

It seems to me that it is very easy to use the grace of God as covering for the sin of not walking in the grace of God.  If God really is in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure then what possible excuse do you think he’ll accept for having no good deeds?  I believe ignorance excuse that is excepted (thinking of the parable of the servant who did deeds worthy of stripes but he didn’t know the will of the Lord and therefore received few).

Best regards,
Craig

Where has the heart of the servant gone?

All of us are guilty of it at some point in our lives, when we ask what can God or others do for us.  As believers we should keep our focus on what we can for God and others.  During worship, we are serving God.  When we minister or bless, we are serving others.  Jesus said the greatest in the kingdom will be your greatest servant so whether or not people argue works in regards to salvation, doing good works is a really good idea.

Let us all pray to God asking Him to guide us when its time to serve like Martha or to sit as His feet like Mary.

In regards to works, truly knowing Jesus not simply knowing about Him is the key.  It is impossible to know Him and not have a heart for good works...

"Take care not to do your good deeds in such a way as to draw attention to yourself; you could lose the reward your Father has for you. When you help people, do it without fanfare, without that ostentation hypocrites employ to get the admiration of others. The truth is, they've already had all the reward they're going to get. That way is not for you. When you help someone, don't let your left hand know what your right is doing. Keep it secret, and your Father who knows all secrets will reward you".