Good Works...Good Heart...

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this nor from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)

When was going through my life's most painful adversity, I remember I told someone that I was questioning God as to why did He allow such painful ordeal when I have been good to others (i.e. was donating to charity anonymously, was treating my office team well, was supporting my parents financially, etc..etc.). Until I heard from a Christian friend that being "mabait" is not enough. I got truly confused and I was questioning such statement in my mind, I tried to ask some Christian friends but still I cannot comprehend it.

Finally when I sincerely accepted Christ in my heart, slowly God made me understand by heart in ways that I too having a hard time explaining by words; truly it was all by GRACE.

As I learned about Ephesians 2:8-9, I realized that good works is not necessary a result of having a good heart as understood by the world. Good works sometimes is used as a tool to lessen or superficially erase the guilt of a person or often used as a void filler in ones heart; more often people think that good works is actually a way to earn God's blessings (even if good deeds is anonymously done), but that is not what the Bible tells us.

Good works should be a by-product of our faith. God looks at the sincerity of our heart and not through our good deeds; for God, it is far important that we have a loving & faithful heart to Him more than anything else. When we do good works to others, have a heart check, you may hear people's appreciation of what you did or even say that you have a "good heart" or " you're an angel from heaven" but at the end of the day ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART", so do not allow those words to succumb you but instead check your heart if the Holy Spirit was the one who moved you.

Have a heart check. When judgment day comes, God will not ask you how many charity (known or unknown) or good works you did but instead He will check the sincerity of your heart. Put your faith in the Lord first and let the Holy Spirit lead and move you to do things according to His will....When you obey do it it all for His honor and glory.

To God be all the praise, honor and glory!!!!!