Introduction
    Good works in the Light of Yahweh is going above and beyond the letter of the law. It is having a good attitude of servitude toward mankind, especially toward the household of faith. It is expressing the love of Yahweh through Messiah Yahshua Who gave His life for us so that we might be like Him expressing the same love from the Father of lights in heaven.
   In no way does this negate the Law of Yahweh, but rather expresses it on a higher level.
   There are many good deeds that one can perform. My dad used to say, after doing something good, “Well, that was my good deed for the day.” A family member, on one sheet of paper, outlined our itinerary for the last India trip: flight numbers, departure and arrival times, layover times between connecting flights, etc. Another itinerary that needed coordination was made for Philippine inter-island flights. And a second person, after seeing what we had done, fine-tuned our plan. It was all extremely helpful. Some good works have a domino effect, making you feel good while helping others.

The Science
    There are chemical reactions in our brains – also called “feel-good chemicals” – that can be quite beneficial. For example:

   • Dopamine (when projects are being planned and then fulfilled after exercise or consuming chocolate);
   • Serotonin (being elevated in status, shown respect or given compliments by others or speaking positive affirmations to one’s self, e.g., I can do all things through Messiah Who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13;
   • Endorphins (hearing a funny joke and then laughing. It aids in physical healing, as well), and;
   • Oxytocin (social connections: hugs, attending sporting events with others; associating with family and friends.

   These hormone levels are often accentuated in love relationships, but become diminished as one ages.
   Let’s break these four hormonal chemical reactions into bite-size bits from the context of Scripture.

Dopamine
    For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish,” Luke 14:28-30. (New American Standard Bible used throughout unless otherwise noted.)
   When a person plans, builds, and completes a project, the dopamine levels (the feel-good chemicals) rise in that person.

Serotonin
    In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Master Yahshua, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” Acts 20:35.
   There is more benefit of blessing accruing to the one giving, than to the one who receives. Assuming the receiver had a need, the one giving experienced an increase in serotonin levels because he knows that his gift to the other is the right thing to have done and, moreover, the esteem accorded him by the other can make him happy he did the right thing. Being elevated in status releases serotonin. Both now, and in the life to come, there are rewards given Yahweh’s people for their good deeds – honor, in the presence of the King, Whose reward is with Him (Rev. 22:12).
   Expressing kindness and mercy produces confidence, which in turn releases this feel-good hormone, called serotonin.

Endorphins
    Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear Yahweh and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones. … A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones, Proverbs 3:7-8, 17:22.
   Good medicine is taken for physical ailments. And inferred here, is that without good medicine, physical health will deteriorate. This is true even in the bones which hold in store, elements – health-promoting compounds, including collagen, conjugated linoleic acid, glycine, and glucosamine – essential for the manufacture of blood (the life of the flesh is in the blood, Lev. 17:11). This all aids in decreased inflammation, better skin health, and improved joint function (healthline.com). Likewise, a joyful heart proceeds from departing from evil and fearing Yahweh.
   Endorphins help reduce physical pain – released with intense exercise – which can contribute generally, to our happiness and wellness of being.

Oxytocin
    Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself … Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself, 1 Samuel 18:1, 3.
   This intense love which Jonathan felt toward his friend David was prompted by a release of hormonal oxytocin. Oxytocin is that agent which promotes how we feel toward family, friends, sporting events, or anything on anyone that is most favored.
Can we love Yahweh in this way? Yes, not only can we love Him in this way, but we can also love the deeds which are done in His Name, the outcome of His Spirit working in us.
   But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace, James 3:17-18.
   If our attitude is a reflection of the good deeds produced from us by His Spirit, we can appreciate the function of these hormonal expressions in something which the Apostle Paul wrote to the Assembly at Philippi:
   [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Messiah Yahshua. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the evangel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For Elohim is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Messiah Yahshua. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Messiah; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which [comes] through Yahshua Messiah, to the glory and praise of Elohim, Philippians 1:6-11.
   Our prayer is often, that our lives bring honor and glory to Yahweh. His Name, magnified through His Son and, through us in good deeds, is not without benefit to us.
   For Elohim is not unjust so as to forget your work(s) and the love which you have shown toward His Name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises, Hebrews 6:10-12.
   Love, patience, and diligence toward Yahweh, drive our efforts toward doing His good pleasure are not without reward. Yet, the greater driving force within us to do His good pleasure is the Spirit of Yahweh, as it is written:
   For it is Elohim who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of Elohim above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, Philippians 2:13-15.

Light of, and in, Yahweh
    This light of ours, is not ours alone, but is of the same light which emanates from the Father through the Son.
   Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow, James 1:17.
   He is the Father of lights, and Light also describes Him. Psalm 36:9 emphasizes Yahweh, as Light: For with You is the Fountain of Life; in Your Light we see Light.
   While we strive toward obedience – demonstrating the weightier matters of mercy, faith, and doing justly – we are not yet perfect. But no one should be able to look at us and conclude that we are living in darkness.
   This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that Elohim is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and [yet] walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahshua His Son cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1:5-7.
   Yahshua is identified as the Light of the world (John 8:12), and as having the Light of the Father within Himself. He dwells in the unapproachable Light of Yahweh (1 Tim. 6:16) which is provided to us, that we also, as lights of the world, may so shine before men that they may see our good works and have occasion to glorify our Father Who is in heaven (Matt. 5:14, 16).

Good Works in the Light
    For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Master; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), Ephesians 5:8-9.
   But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [Elohim’s] OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF ELOHIM; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe [them], glorify Elohim in the day of visitation, 1 Peter 2:9-12.
   (As a side note, the prophet Hosea is cited here, Hos. 1:10, 2:23, in which he speaks of the northern tribes of Israel who were divorced but who are currently being restored through the Messiah.)
   For this reason also, since the day we heard [of it], we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Master, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light, Colossians 1:9-12.
   The evidence of Whom we serve will be reflected by our doing good deeds in service to others, and so fulfilling the deeds of the Law toward Yahweh and promote their praise toward Yahweh. If are in the Light of Yahweh which is expressed in His Son Yahshua, the express image and likeness of Yahweh, then we walk in that same Light, and are now called children of Yahweh, even children of Light, as we walk with Yahshua.

Good Works are Lawful
    All Scripture is inspired by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of Elohim may be adequate, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
   And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the Name of the Master Yahshua, giving thanks through Him to Elohim the Father, Colossians 3:17.
   For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahshua for good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them, Ephesians 2:10.
   Okay, we’ve said through the Spirit, we are able to do good works. But now, we’ve incorporated the Word of Yahweh as that means by which we are prepared in the Name of the Master Yahshua, to perform good works. We live by the Word, as well, which is neither contrary to the Spirit as we know the Word is spiritual (Rom. 7:21). We cannot do lawless things and expect a warm welcome when Yahshua returns.
   Whatever we do, therefore, should all be done with Messiah in mind and to the glory of His Father (1 Cor. 10:31), looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great Elohim and Savior, Messiah Yahshua, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds, Titus 2:13-14.
   Are we putting away lawless deeds? Are we zealous for good works? Are we thinking about helping others?
   A lot of times we may think we’re doing well, by keeping Sabbath, avoiding unclean food and not watching filthy movies. But, are we asking another how he is doing? Are we praying for one another? Or, are we focusing on ourselves and our own personal wants and needs?

Helping Each Other
    So, as those who have been chosen of Elohim, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Master forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things [put on] love, which is the perfect bond of unity, Colossians 3:12-14.
   Sometimes, helping others involves listening or providing companionship; sometimes, helping others is supplying them with material things or, even money.
   Yahweh’s promise is that he who is gracious to the needy lends to Yahweh, and He shall richly repay him (Prov. 19:17). And the Father will give us what is needed so there is an abundance to give to others.
   Now this [I say], he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must [do] just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for Elohim loves a cheerful giver. And Elohim is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. As it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to Elohim. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to Elohim, 2 Corinthians 9:6-12.
   Our purpose for presenting this message is to nurture your awareness of reaching out to, and becoming concerned with others’ wellbeing. And, yes, of course, in the process, to share the Good News, though sometimes our deeds testify to the Good News.

Obedient and Faithful Servants
    Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of Elohim our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Yahshua Messiah our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed Elohim will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for [all] men, Titus 3:1-8.
   Doing good works as an expression of love gives an indication to others of who we are as a people. There can be no separation between the two, for as with many other things, these work together to bring praise to our Heavenly Father and a great reward for those who live by them.
   Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me [something] to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, “Master, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, [even] the least [of them], you did it to Me,” Matthew 25:34-40.
   This is something we should keep in mind as we move forward doing what we can for others without an attitude of what they can do for us.

In Conclusion
    Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another]; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near, Hebrews 10:23-25.
   Be encouraged to stay the course and run the race, helping others along the way.