August 21. 2025

The Bible teaches us that Christians are to do good works, even though we cannot do good works to earn salvation. But do you need to be a Christian to do good works? Can’t you do good without being a Christian? The answer is not straightforward.

Non-Christians do right things

If you look at the life of any non-Christian, you will find he does many things that are right. E.g. speaking the truth, raising children lovingly, helping others, and giving money to charity. There are even non-Christians who can serve as examples to Christians through all the good things they do.

The Bible recognizes that unbelievers can do good things. In Isaiah 44:28 God says about the Persian king Cyrus: “he shall fulfill all My purpose”, in bringing Israel back to its country. That is obviously a good thing. But God also says about this king: “you do not know Me” (Isaiah 45:5).

Another example is the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus makes his hearers squirm by telling a story where the unbeliever is the good guy. The priest and the Levite abandon a wounded traveler, but the Samaritan, who does not belong to God’s people, helps him.

Now this is not something that really happened, it is just a story that Jesus told. But through telling the story Jesus shows that this is something that could happen. And we probably all know examples when Christians failed and unbelievers did the right thing. So the first thing that needs to be said it: yes, non-Christians definitely can do right things – even to the extent that it makes Christian ashamed.

A right thing is not a good work

But now we need to take the next step. The Bible also says that when God looks down from heaven on the children of man, He says “there is none who does good, not even one”. This is written in Psalm 14:3, and repeated in Romans 3:12. So how is it possible that people can do the right things without God, but that He still says that they don’t do good?

This is where we have to bring in the intentions we have. Non-Christians can do the right things, even with the right intentions towards other people. But God is looking for another good intention before He considers something a good work: whether we do it to honor Him. In Hebrews 11:6 we read: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”

This sounds pretty extreme, but you should be able to understand it when you compare it to this: a young man curses his parents, cuts off contact with them, and emigrates to another country. After a few years, the parents hear that their son has become very successful. He has become a wealthy and respected businessman. Are they now pleased with their son? No. They are still hurt, sad, and disappointed that their son does not want to have anything to do with his parents.

In the same way, all the right things that people do have no value for God if they do not love and honor Him. Intentions are important. A right thing to do only becomes a good work in the sight of God if it is done to honor Him.

You need the Holy Spirit for good works

If you don’t love God, you can’t do good things with the intention that God wants. But if you love God, you can often still fail to do good works. You need to be renewed through the power of the Holy Spirit to do good works. It does not start with your effort, but with your personality being changed.

When the Holy Spirit lives in you, this is what happens: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). When this becomes your personality, good works will flow from it. People will see the power of God at work in you, in a way that is never possible for someone who does not believe in God, does not trust in Jesus, and does not have the Holy Spirit in his heart.

Guest Writer Marten Visser

A question came into the text line on Sunday that was similar to the title of this article, which answers it very well.   I didn’t take the  time to reinvent this wheel.  🙂

Pastor Scott

I find writing on a given subject goes rather smoothly, but am sometimes challenged to come up with a subject.  This morning a grandson’s conversation had the term “bowels of mercies” running through my head.  The phrase appears 11 times in the KJV, but most notably (at least to me) in Colossians 3:12:  

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,       humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;…

I love the following illustration, especially, in light of the acrimoniousness of today’s political and theological discourse!  I think it stands in place of anything I could write on the matter. ~Pastor Scott

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A true Christian is like the lily which stings no one, and yet he lives among those who are full of sharpness. He aims to please, and not to provoke, and yet he lives among those whose existence is a standing menace. The thorn tears and lacerates: it is all armed from its root to its topmost branch, defying all comers. But there stands the lily, smiling, not defying; charming, and not harming. Such is the real Christian, holy, harmless, full of love and gentleness and tenderness. Therein lieth his excellence. Who would not stop and turn aside to see a lily among thorns, and think he reads a promise from his God to comfort him amid distress? Such is a true Christian: he is a consolation in his family, a comfort in his neighbourhood, an ornament to his profession, and a benediction to his age. He is all tenderness and gentleness, and yet it may be he lives among the envious, the malicious, and the profane, a lily among thorns. The thorn saith, “Keep away; no one shall touch me with impunity.” The lily cries, “I come to you, I shed my soul abroad to please you.”  

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; please you.” (Col 3:12 NASB1995)

And speaking of “bowels* of mercy”, this a good article:

https://telosblog.com/the-sacred-spleen-of-jesus/

*Paul technically used the Greek word for “spleen”.

Do you face a task or challenge that seems too big (or annoying)?  Do you have a person in your life that you find hard to understand (or may even tolerate)?  Do you have some hurdle or challenge affecting your health or finances?

Take a minute, read the verses below – out loud if possible – and let the true Word of God wash over you!  ~Pastor Scott

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is all you need, for My power is the greatest when you are weak.” 
• Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” 
• Nehemiah 8:10 – “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
• Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
• Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
• Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• Exodus 15:2 – The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
• 1 Chronicles 16:11 – Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!
• Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
• Exodus 15:2 – The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 

I was planning to address the issue of mean-spiritedness that I sometimes see in human discourse.  This article was one of the documents that came up with that particular search string.  I don’t know Kyle but, while he and I share a different soteriology, his understanding of “balance” seems biblically accurate and insightful.  Take a few minutes to read it, Pastor Scott

13 February 2025/Kyle Borg

The Reluctant Polemicist

One of the most embarrassing moments of my life happened when I was a new seminary student. I had scheduled lunch with one of my professors, excited to talk theology and ask about preaching. As I got into his car and was buckling up, he said in his strong Scottish accent, “Kyle, I’ve seen how you interact on social media. If there were a degree for being argumentative, you’d be at the top of the class.” I wanted to run, but the car was already moving, and I was stuck.

I grew up in a home that encouraged me to challenge what I was taught and to have informed convictions. My family enjoyed a good-spirited argument around the dinner table, and due to natural “abilities” I believe that if something is worth saying it’s worth saying loudly. In college I won an award for the best speaker in debate, and on one particular occasion I received applause when I reduced my rival to tears as she fled the room. I studied philosophy and was always asked to prove or disprove the world of ideas. When social media became popularized it gave me endless chances to tell people they were wrong.

In my formative years my love for arguing turned theological. I had big shifts in my thinking when I was introduced to Calvinism and Reformed theology. Far more ignorant than knowledgeable, I fiercely argued with anyone who disagreed with me, even if I had shared their view minutes earlier. I didn’t listen; I only responded. I didn’t try to understand; I just wanted to win. I thought I was being heroic, especially since John Calvin famously said: “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.”

Then came my professor’s confrontation. His words hit me hard, they were shattering. But it was an “Aha-Moment” — I wasn’t a defender of the faith, I was just being a jerk, hiding behind a think mask of piety. Unfortunately, my actions had consequences. I needlessly offended others, I hurt people not with the truth but with my words, and I dishonored Jesus. Since that day I’ve tried to blunt my polemical edge — or, to put it more accurately, I’ve tried to have that edge sanctified.

I say “sanctified” because there’s a place for Christians to stand firm and refute. After all, we believe in the authority and clarity of the Bible and this should lead us to have strong convictions on theological matters. The Prophets, Apostles, and even Jesus didn’t shy away from contending vigorously for the truth — speaking boldly and convincingly. But to do this in a godly way requires grace and wisdom — qualities that are, in my view, rare. There’s a fine line between contending and stirring up trouble (Prov. 29:22), speaking a soft word or being harsh (Prov. 15:1), being prepared or disrespectful (1 Pt. 3:15), being responsible or a busybody (2 Thess. 3:11); correcting or fault-finding (Matt. 7:3-5), being discerning or divisive (Titus 3:10). There’s a fine line between seeking peace and exhibiting pride. A godly polemicist needs to know that line, and I fear very few do.

When the Dutch theologian Herman Witsius was invited to give a response to a big theological controversy in Britain, he began his response by writing:

And I reckon it not the smallest part of our calamity, or at least the most painful of our office, that we who preside in matters of Christianity, are often constrained to bestow tedious labour in resolving the difficulties of thorny controversies. So is the age; all places resound with debates: that very temple not excepted which the Lord hath consecrated to peace and concord […] Be ye willing or unwilling, in battle you must engage; O that it were always that good fight of faith, which Paul recommended to Timothy! However, if we are not permitted to shun the conflict, the prudence of the just demands, that they, who in the defense of orthodoxy show themselves the right guardians of truth, should remember studiously to avoid [those] things which are not lawful for ministers of peace.

Witsius wasn’t unwilling to engage. Anyone familiar with his writings knows how thoughtfully, thoroughly, and strongly he did so. There’s a time and a place and a way to do so — and passivity lacks the courage that should distinguish believers. But he was also reluctant. He was reluctant because controversy can come from the spirit of the age, the fight of faith can be counterfeited, the peace of the church easily disturbed, and argumentation can become lawless warfare. Such polemics are beneath the dignity of Christianity.

What does the church need most today? The answer can vary depending on your perspective. After observing many debates on social media, you might think the church needs less arguing and more caution. I can relate to that view. Most social media interactions don’t seem to be helpful, kind, or honoring to Christ. A lot of it is just rude, uncharitable, and straining gnats. It’s just a shameless craving for controversy. On the other hand, when we look at the culture, we see many Christians who are indifferent—those who aren’t deeply convicted or committed, and they avoid necessary conflicts at almost all costs. I understand that too, and wish the church had more of a fighting spirit.

In my opinion, the church needs the reluctant polemicist. We don’t need reluctant people without polemics, nor do we need polemics without reluctance. We need those with an uncompromising backbone who are willing and able to zealously contend for biblical doctrine, worship, and godliness. Men who fight for the honor bestowed by God alone. But they also need to have enough reluctance to avoid, in the fight, everything unbecoming of one enlisted under the banner of Jesus Christ, and whose contending is for peace. Again, in the words of Witsius: “Those men [are] the most happy, who knowing nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and living soberly, righteously, and godly according to the prescription of the gospel” remain far from contentions and striving.

Kyle Borg

Husband of one. Father of six. Pastor of more. Rural enthusiast.

On Sunday (2/9) I preached on Mark 9 which deals with the place where “the worm does not die and the fire never goes out” – the place called Hell.

I got a question on the text line that results from the line in the Apostles Creed, posted below (appearing between the burial and resurrection) or from 1 Peter 3.  Where did Jesus go during his “death?”  The passage from which the Apostle’s Creed draws its conclusion is 1 Peter 3:18-20 which reads: 

 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water”

Did Jesus go to Hades and preach to the spirits of the dead?  

Did He go to Hades and triumphantly proclaim His victory over sin and death?  

Or, is this a reference to Jesus’ spirit being with Noah when he preached to the lost of His day?  

I prefer the third interpretation, but it is textually the weakest of the three; the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).  These words seem less subject to conjecture or misinterpretation.  I do NOT think Jesus was in Hell (or Hades) for those 3 days.  And on those rare occasions I’m called on to recite or sing the Creed, I stay silent during those moments.  

I understand why it’s there and I’m not going to go on a crusade to get it changed, I just think there is a better interpretation.

Pastor Scott (with thanks to William for reminding me of Luke 23:43)On Sunday (2/9) I preached on Mark 9 which deals with the place where “the worm does not die and the fire never goes out” – the place called Hell.

I got a question on the text line that results from the line in the Apostles Creed, poster below (appearing between the burial and resurrection) or from 1 Peter 3.  Where did Jesus go during his “death?”  The passage from which the Apostle’s Creed draws its conclusion is 1 Peter 3:18-20 which reads: 

 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water”

Did Jesus go to Hades and preach to the spirits of the dead?  

Did He go to Hades and triumphantly proclaim His victory over sin and death?  

Or, is this a reference to Jesus’ spirit being with Noah when he preached to the lost of His day?  

I prefer the third interpretation, but it is textually the weakest of the three; the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).  These words seem less subject to conjecture or misinterpretation.  I do NOT think Jesus was in Hell (or Hades) for those 3 days.  And on those rare occasions I’m called on to recite or sing the Creed, I stay silent during those moments.  

I understand why it’s there and I’m not going to go on a crusade to get it changed, I just think there is a better interpretation.

Pastor Scott (with thanks to William for reminding me of Luke 23:43)

After Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1). The 11 remaining disciples appointed a brother named Matthias to replace Judas, who had committed suicide after betraying our Lord. This is a debated point because the Scripture gives us no indication whether or not God wanted them to do this, and many see the apostle Paul as God’s obvious replacement for Judas. While I personally tend to hold this point of view, I find it pointless to argue or debate. God has called all of us to the work he has for us and no one is more important or more holy or more loved in God’s kingdom than any other person.

What happened to these men after Jesus is based in part on historical record and in part on church tradition. Unfortunately politics enters into the traditions of men and so we have traditions claiming that James, the brother of John, went to Spain, when the Bible makes it clear that he was the first of the 12 to be martyred (killed) for his faith in Jesus, when he was put to the sword in the early days of the church in Jerusalem.

PETER

Peter was crucified around 66AD in Rome under the persecution of Emperor Nero. There are all kinds of unverified traditions about his death, most notably that he was crucified upside down because he didn’t consider himself worthy to die the same way Jesus did. 

JAMES

James was the first of the 12 to be put to death. King Herod had him killed by the sword in Jerusalem (Acts 12). There are some non-biblical traditions about James that I will address later. 

JOHN

The writer of the the Gospel of John, the book of the Revelation and three epistles bearing his name, John is the only one of the 12 that history says was not put to death for his faith, although he suffered greatly because of Jesus throughout his long life. Tradition says he ended his life ministering in the region around Ephesus in modern day Turkey and is buried there. 

ANDREW

The brother of Peter, Andrew traveled north, bringing the good news to what is now Russia and the western regions of the former Soviet Union. He later traveled through modern day Turkey and Greece where he was martyred.

PHILIP

Philip ministered in North Africa and then Asia Minor. Traditions says that a Roman Proconsul was so enraged that his wife had converted to Christianity because of Philip’s preaching that he had Philip brutally put to death. There is disagreement about the manor in which he died but no matter the method, it was because he fully believed that Jesus had died and risen from the grave. It is possible that Philip’s tomb was recently discovered (read about HERE).

BARTHOLOMEW/NATHANIEL

Bartholomew was apparently someone who loved to travel. Some accounts have him going to India with Thomas, then Armenia before heading along the trade routes between Ethiopia and the southern Arabian regions. While we are not sure how he met his end, tradition agrees that he was martyred for his faith. In some places he is listed as “Nathaniel” which could have been a family name or a name he was known by in the church. 

MATTHEW/LEVI

The gospel writer who had previously been a tax collector, Matthew traveled to modern day Iran and then down to Ethiopia, probably following established trade routes and preaching the gospel along the way. While some account do not include how he died, others say he was stabbed to death in Africa. 

Like Bartholomew, Matthew was known by more than one name: Levi. This other name is easier to pin down and is probably a family or tribal identification. 

THOMAS

Thomas get’s a bad rap. Although he doubted the resurrection at first, Thomas’ faith in the risen Jesus was strong enough to send him traveling east to Syria and Iraq to preach the gospel, eventually ending up in India were the Marthoma Christian tradition considers him to be their founder. The Marthoma tradition says that Thomas died by stabbing at the hands of four soldiers. 

JAMES THE SON OF ALPHAUES

Very possibly the brother of Matthew/Levi, James is believed to have preached in the regions north of Israel. A non-christian historical account says that he was stoned and then clubbed to death. He is sometimes known as James the Younger (younger brother of Levi?) or James the Lesser (which would have had different connotations then it does for us today). 

SIMON THE ZELOT

Simon’s ultimate end is somewhat unclear. I wrote earlier that politics gets involved in the traditions about the apostles. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire it became politically advantageous to be connected with the apostles or notable christian events or leaders. This means that places like Turkey, Greece, Rome and Jerusalem naturally had more power/influence than churches in places like Britain, France, Africa and Spain. 

As I said earlier, there are non-biblical traditions regarding the apostles. In the 12th century, a Spanish bishop began to promote the idea that James had come to Spain, despite the account of James’ martyrdom in Acts 12. The same is true with Simon the Zelot with different groups and agendas making claim to Simon’s legacy. The majority view seems to be that Simon was sawn in half in Persia.  

PHILIP

Little is known about Philip’s life after Acts 2. Some have tried to link him with the Philip found later in the book of Acts but the circumstantial evidence doesn’t seem to fit other than sharing the same name. Tradition says that he preached in the Phrygia region of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and was martyred for his faith in Jesus in the town of Hierapolis. 

JUDAS THADEUS 

The early church father Jerome called Jude “Trinomius” which means three names. Mark and Matthew list him by his family name “Thaddeus”, while Luke refers to him as Judas the Brother of James. Some have tried to link him with Jude, the half-brother of Jesus who wrote the book of the same name but we reject this view. 

Tradition holds that he preached the gospel in the area we could think of as Northern Syria, Iraq and Turkey. He was said to have been killed with arrows in Turkey’s mountainous northern region. 

MATTHIAS

Tradition says that Matthias traveled north, possibly as far as the Caspian Sea. He was martyred for his faith although the method of his death is unclear.

PAUL

Paul suffered for the Lord throughout his life. In addition to imprisonment and multiple threats to his life, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:25 that “Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.” 

Paul was beheaded in Rome in 66 AD, possibly at the same time as Peter.

JUDAS

Judas committed suicide after betraying Jesus. I mention this because every one of Jesus’ followers died. 10 of them as martyrs. John died of old age. But Judas chose a cursed path. He was not the only one who betrayed Jesus; all of the other disciples abandoned Jesus, Peter directly denied knowing him. Paul persecuted Jesus’ followers. Yet all of them embraced the grace and forgiveness of God and that same grace was available to Judas.