什么是真正的好行为？是不是做慈善就够了？
What are truly good works? Is charity enough?
简答 Short Answer
韦敏斯德信条教导，真正的好行为必须满足三个条件：出于信心、按照上帝的律法、以上帝的荣耀为目的。缺少任何一个，外表再光鲜也不是上帝所悦纳的。
The Westminster Confession teaches truly good works must meet three conditions: from faith, according to God's law, and for God's glory. Missing any one, however impressive outwardly, they are not pleasing to God.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
世界说好行为就是做好事——捐钱、做义工、帮助别人。但圣经对好行为的定义远比这严格。
韦敏斯德信条第16章说，真正的好行为有三个条件：
第一，出于信心。「凡不出于信心的都是罪」（罗14:23）。一个不信上帝的人也可能做出外表上的好事，但如果动机不是出于对上帝的信靠和感恩，在上帝眼中就不算好行为。以赛亚说：「我们所有的义都像污秽的衣服」（赛64:6）——离开了信心，人最好的行为也是有瑕疵的。
第二，按照上帝的律法。好行为不是人自己定义的，而是上帝的律法定义的。一个人可能真心以为自己在做好事，但如果违背了上帝的标准，那就不是好行为。「有一条路，人以为正，至终成为死亡之路」（箴14:12）。
第三，以上帝的荣耀为目的。「无论做什么，都要为荣耀上帝而行」（林前10:31）。如果做好事是为了被人看见、为了积功德、为了自我感觉良好，那动机就不纯。耶稣批评法利赛人「一切所做的事都是要叫人看见」（太23:5）。
这是不是说不信的人就不应该做好事？当然不是。普遍恩典使得非基督徒也能行出外在的善行，这对社会是有益的。但在上帝面前，真正蒙悦纳的好行为必须源于与基督的关系。
所以做慈善是好的，但还不够。上帝看的不只是你做了什么，更是你为什么做、凭什么做、为谁做。
The world defines good works as doing good things: donating, volunteering, helping others. But Scripture's definition is far more rigorous.
The Westminster Confession ch.16 gives three conditions for truly good works:
First, from faith. Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Rom 14:23). An unbeliever may do outwardly good things, but without trust in and gratitude toward God, it doesn't count as good works before God. Isaiah says all our righteous deeds are like polluted garments (Isa 64:6).
Second, according to God's law. Good works are defined by God's law, not our own standards. Someone may sincerely think they are doing good while violating God's standards. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Prov 14:12).
Third, for God's glory. Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). If good deeds aim at being seen, earning merit, or feeling good about ourselves, the motive is impure. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for doing everything to be seen by others (Matt 23:5).
Does this mean unbelievers shouldn't do good? Of course not. Common grace enables non-Christians to perform outward good, which benefits society. But before God, truly pleasing works must flow from a relationship with Christ.
So charity is good but not enough. God looks not just at what you do but why, by what authority, and for whom.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •韦敏斯德信条 16章；WCF ch.16
- •巴克，《认识神》；J.I. Packer, Knowing God📖