What is the role of 'good works' in your beliefs?

In Christianity, good works are what comes along with being a Christian. What I mean is that when you become a Christian, God puts it into your heart to do good works so they are not of your own choosing, it is the spirit of God that is in you. You do not do good works to get into heaven.

We can be saved thru Faith Alone, Grace Alone and Scriptures Alone. Good works is just how you are a living witness of God. And we cannot do anything without God. Everything is from Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 "God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward from the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."

I believe in good works but like you I know they will not get me into heaven. I believe we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.This just goes along with your belief and faith of knowing there is a God.If you believe you let it know by your works.

The works that you do should be a reflection of the state of your heart. If your heart is turned towards God, you will not want to do things to displease Him and you will want to do things that will please him. However, it is also possible for good works to be done by someone for their own personal gain. Remember the important man in the temple who was a pharisee, who prayed aloud and told God about all his good works, his tithing, his fasting, etc.. He wasn't doing those good works to please God, but to impress others. Jesus said that the publican who prayed silently and recognized his own sin was more righteous. It is not only works that count, but the spirit that caused the person to do the good works. If they do them to satisfy their own ego, or impress others, then they are still selfish works. If they do them out of a changed heart and to please God, then they are truly good works.

In Christianity, upon becoming a Christian, each person undergoes certain changes among which are the attitudes and desires conducive to good works. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus commanded His disciples that they should Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. This would appear to make good works requisite for the true Christian life.

i think humans can't help helping each other because it feels good for both parties and i think we will keep on helping each other whatever our religion says.

We do good works because we have a relationship with God. We don't do good works to create a relationship with Him. He changes our hearts so that we want to do what we can to make things better for others. We don't do what we can to be accepted by Him in the first place because we cannot work hard enough or long enough to meet His approval.

I agree with Suspenseful. Good works are in the heart. You can't help doing good works because it feels good after you do them. I admit that we all sin and sometimes we also try to do good works to make up for the sin although the Bible tells us that it won't work that way.