James said,  “What does it profit if a man has faith , but has not works?  Can his faith save him?”  Implying that faith is not enough,  one has to do something to earn something..in this case  being saved.

 This is the credo that the traditional churches  preach.   It’s the old “carrot and the stick” approach.  You have to earn the right to be saved. .do something  that will please God,  and as a result good things will come to you.   If not, bad things will come to you.

 Now,  Paul tells us of the importance of “works” for an entirely different reason.

 Once again, you’ll find the discourse on this in UNSEARCHABLE RICHES.  I advise you to subscribe and read the article by Robert  G Edwards.

 Paul speaks of the importance of “works”..adding “good”, because in doing so, we bring  glory to God. 

Our future is secured ,  through  God’s grace,   we have no control over that. It was determined by God, before the “disruption” of the world!  

 So “doing” good works  doesn’t change what is in the future.. that’s already set.

 But,  we don’t do good works to benefit ourselves,  but to benefit others and to bring glory to God!

 In performing good works,  we are following the example  made by the head of the Ecclesia, Jesus Christ.  As members of His body we can do nothing less. 

Good works follow His agenda  in accomplishing God’s  ultimate purpose to become All in All.

 Paul makes  us aware that the “good works” we do were set in motion by God,  once again, before the “disruption” of the world. 

We perform good works  in whatever manner  that has been set in us for the delight of His will, which ultimately  is to have  Christ head over all, both on earth and in the heavens..paulnbob