Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

1Pt 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles,   that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe,   glorify God in the day of visitation.

Definition: Good works are purposeful Christlike actions, prompted and enabled by the HS of grace, which eternally benefit others (through having real needs met), God (by making Him look good in the eyes of others) and ourselves (through growth and reward).
Proclamation is no substitute for Authentication (and vise versa)

1. Good Works are a function of the light shining in us (having an unhindered relationship with God) and should result in God looking good in the eyes of others  Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Lk 11:33…lampstand…35 take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.36…whole body is full of light, having no part dark

2. Jesus deliberately engaged in GW Jn 17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
Jn 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?
Ac 10:38 That God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil; for God was with him. 20: 24  "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

3. GW (are distinguished from giving alms) don't make you immune from dying, but appear to increase your chances of getting a miraculous resurrection  Ac 9:36 disciple named Tabitha, called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and merciful acts which she did.

4. Glory hounds patiently continue to do GW even though they don't see the immediate payoff.
Rm 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing (good works) seek for glory and honor and immortality,Þ eternal life:
Rm 13:3 rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, you will have praise from them
Neh 13:14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God

5. GW are the hottest fashion for a godly woman, should be done without wrath or doubting, but with reverence/modesty and sobriety (sound-minded, objective thinking) 1Tim 2:8 women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10  but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works

6. We can/should have a reputation for GW which is gained by diligently following/chasing after every opportunity to render service to those in need. 1Tim 5:9…she has been the wife of one man,10  well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

7. GW are obvious (as light in a dark place) 1Tim 5:24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

 
8. The rich should be rich in GW (not just do them conveniently) so they can be rich in the future world as well as this one. GW are distinguished from doing good, and being ready or willing to share. 1Ti 6:17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

9. You're not adequate to do GW unless you're first taught/reproved/corrected/instructed by the Word of God and the GW's flow out of a sanctified life (light). (Otherwise you'll wind up just doing the kinds of thing to make yourself feel good/less guilty RATHER than what God wants/is pleased by [which the Word tells you about]). It would also seem that every GW should have a Biblical basis/motivation, and/or that the Word should be involved in every GW. 2Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished/equipped for all good works.  [cf 4:2 Preach the word! Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching]

10. Personal holiness (in which we've taken the initiative) is a prerequisite to GW 2Ti 2:21  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

11. Failing to be pure disqualifies you from doing a GW Titus 1:14… men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,