Created for Good Works
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10
We are saved by grace and not by works, but we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. This may sound confusing, but it depends on our motivation. We are created to do good works, because we are created in the image of God; but Satan tries to change us to the image of the world.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) So we are called to good works, and let’s define the motivation that God desires for us to do good works.
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:18) We have faith to do good works, and there is no profit in having faith with no works. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) We follow Christ through the Holy Spirit as he guides us, and he is with us to do good works. It’s Christ in us that enables us to do good works.
We must be motivated to follow the Spirit and seek to have Christ work his power through us. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6) We are to have the mind of Christ and we are to live as Jesus lived, telling the world about salvation through Christ. This is the calling of every Christian, because we are the Light in this world. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) We seek to reflect the goodness of Jesus at all times, so people will see the goodness of Christ in us. We are Light in the world and we live to bring the truth of eternal life through Christ. We overcome the darkness of Satan’s lies with the Truth of God’s Word.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. (1 John 4:16-17) We live in love and God is with us as we live like Jesus. A heart of love motivates us, because we live out of our hearts. We can have scriptural knowledge in our minds, but we are changed when love moves from our minds into our hearts. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) We obey the Word by following the Spirit, and God will continually fill our hearts with his divine love.
Today know you are created to do good works. Follow the Spirit and reflect Jesus to everyone and pray for an opportunity to tell someone about Christ.
Prayer: Lord guide in the Spirit to do good works and to be Light on hill that all can see and glorify You. Keep filling my heart with your love, so life will be focused on You and others. In Jesus name, Amen