Called Unto Good Works

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Eph.2
[1] And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
[6] And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

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No man is saved by works that he personally has done. God does not search the earth for “good” men and women that He might use to show off His power. He does not look down and say, “Man, he/she sure does do some great work. I should join with him/her. Imagine what great things he could do My Kingdom because he is such a great worker.” God does not have a draft like the NBA or NFL where he selects the best of the best.

God instead takes the lowest of the low. He calls from a life of sin. He calls us from a life of destruction, and a path that would take us straight to hell. He does this, not according to any works of goodness that we perform. No…God calls us out of darkness, and into light according to His great love and mercy. He takes people who are enemies to good works, and begins a work in them. He begins a transformation in His people. That is why we are called His “workmanship”. He takes us and shapes us. He does a work from the inside out. He awakens our spirit so that we might be able to see the things that He has offered to us; such as salvation only through His Son Jesus. But, God does not stop there. He begins a work in us to transform us into the image of His Son. It is out of that transforming work that we can then carry on the work of God. NOT WORK TO GET SAVED, BUT RATHER WORK BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED.

Notice that we are not just saved, and then called to a life of silent salvation until we die, and then go to heaven. No, we are saved, and then begin a journey to learn to model Christ and join in the fellowship of His good works. Good works are those that demonstrate to others the love of God. Good works will often cause the question to be asked, “Why do you do that?” The question is asked that we who do good works through the power of God would then be able to preach Christ and say, “God is doing a good work in me. He sent His only Son Jesus to die for me when I was yet in my sin. And then He sent His Spirit to reside in me, that I might be able walk in good works and glorify His name. Be it known that there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven and earth whereby man can be saved, except by the name of Jesus our Christ.” What I am saying is that our works of goodness show forth to others the love, mercy, kindness, and grace that God has shown to us. By our demonstration of good works we are able to show others the love of God, and preach Christ.

There is a common theme that I am learning. IT IS ALL ABOUT CHRIST. Good works alone are good. But that is not the main goal. The main goal is to show the love of God. He is the focus. There are many people outside of Christ (don’t believe in Him) that have and do good things. That is good. But, the only problem is that when they are asked about it, they do not point to Christ. They ultimately give the glory to someone other than God. The kingdom of God is not preached. They point to themselves, their parents, and teachers. Give honor to whom it is due. But, when the end of the line is reached it should always point to God, through Christ.

(more to come concerning the subject of works)

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Do You Walk In Good Works?