Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant
The hope of hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” at the end of our journey is something that drives many (Matthew 25:21).
This affirmation from the Lord represents the culmination of a life pleasing to God. But if we are honest with ourselves, it is easy to feel unworthy of this. We know the depths of our sin, the frailty of our obedience, and the inconsistency of our faith. How, then, can we hope that these words might be said to us, sinners who stumble daily?
The answer lies not in our efforts, but in the perfect and finished work of Jesus Christ, who has done all things well on our behalf.
The Source of Our Approval
In the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), the faithful servants are commended for their stewardship. They multiplied what their master entrusted to them. At first glance, this might seem like a works-based affirmation—that God’s approval hinges on how much we accomplish for Him. But the broader scope of Scripture reveals a deeper, gospel-centered truth.
Christ Himself is the ultimate faithful servant. He perfectly obeyed the will of His Father (John 6:38), fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), and accomplished the work of redemption (John 19:30). Through His obedience, righteousness, and sacrificial death, He heard the words of His Father: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Here’s the astonishing truth: all that Christ has accomplished is accounted to us. His righteousness is imputed to us by faith (2 Corinthians 5:21). When God looks at us, He sees us clothed in the perfection of His Son. Therefore, the words “Well done” are not a result of our works, but the result of Christ’s perfect work credited to our account.
Does this mean our efforts in sanctification or obedience don’t matter? By no means! Christ’s finished work secures our salvation, but it also transforms us. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Our obedience flows from gratitude and love for the One who has done everything for us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live as faithful servants, not to earn approval but to reflect the approval we have already received in Christ.
Hearing the Words “Well Done”
For every believer, the promise of hearing “Well done” is a certainty because it rests on Christ’s unchanging faithfulness, not our wavering efforts. Jesus has fulfilled every command, borne every burden, and completed every task perfectly. In Him, we are declared faithful servants because He is the faithful servant.
When we stand before God, it will not be our achievements that secure His commendation. It will be the merits of Christ, freely given to us by grace through faith. And as we hear those blessed words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” we will know that they are spoken not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.
This is the gospel—the good news that our salvation, our approval, and our reward are all of grace.