“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works"(NIV) Ephesians 2:10
Bible reading: Ephesians 2: 1-10
Some time ago we were dead in our transgressions and sins because we followed the ways of the world. However, a great work was done on our behalf on the cross by our saviour Jesus Christ. He has given us all the incomparable riches of his grace and he demands that we bear fruit in His name. When He returns, will we be able to account for this trust in us?
It is unfortunate that most of us are not being productive in the Lord’s vineyard. We are just being idle. The very few who do well also boast in their good works and even look down on others. We sound like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14; ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector'. God is neither interested in idle souls nor boastful workers in His working field. He seeks self-sacrificing and selfless people because He bought us at a high price. We were created by God for good works and not by good works.
Our salvation is based on God’s gift of grace and not on good works. That is to say that our pride in our good works will never take us to heaven. Instead, when we trust that it is by grace that we are saved, we will see the need to do good. It is the purpose of our calling. When we acknowledge this truth and see the need to do good to ALL MEN especially those in the house of the Lord, we grow to become effective Christians. Let us always remember that we are saved not by our good works but for good works.
God loves us so much that He chose to save us. It is just by grace and we do not need to boast of our good works. We can show Him our love by doing good.