Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
In the aspect of our new life in Christ, one of the most misunderstood parts of this glorious blessedness is the expected walk in righteousness that each Christian is expected to. When one believer aims to walk in the paths of holy living, others are quick to misinterpret this pursuit as a legalist activity. This is due to the poor understanding of God’s abundant grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. Most people who are in this line of thinking are those whom the scriptures describe as false Christians. They are those who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. We must be careful not to fall in this same manner, that we may not fall into the same condemnation that awaits this kind of activity. Remember, to the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. So, we Christians must keep in mind that we have been commanded to do good works, not for earning salvation, but for worship!
Part of our new identity in Christ are the new activities or agenda inclusive in this blessed reality. As the Lord, through the apostle Paul, continues to remind the believers in Ephesus about their new life in Christ, this is the same reminder that must be held fast to by all the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ in the contemporary: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (v.10)”. The word workmanship in its original language connotes the skillful work of a craftsman. The crossover of a believer from death to life, darkness to light, and their transformation is so radical that it is considered a new act of creation. This is inaugurated in the covenant between the Father and the Son, planned before the foundations of the world. This is to say that part of God’s sovereign choosing of His elect, is to make them His holy sons and daughters, fashioned according to the image of His Son, Jesus the Christ. And their lives are designed for the kind of life that conforms to God’s character.
With this, we know now that only faith in Christ, not works, can bring acceptance to God. However, good works are the vital and unchanging result of having life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our good works therefore, are the result, outcome, or fruit of salvation, not its cause! And those who do not have good works show that they don’t have saving faith at all! And so, this is now a good time to remind ourselves that our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us and expects as well that we show our good works! For He Himself has said: “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.” As you are saved by God’s grace, by this same sufficient grace you are blessed with a life created in Christ Jesus for good works! For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Has God’s grace towards you create in you a motivation to live a godly life?
2. Do you grow in need of His grace?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You once more as Your child, to ask of Your will for me. As You have saved me by Your grace, I ask for this same grace to enable me to live a life of good works, which You have prepared for me beforehand. Help me to let my light shine, that others may see my good works and give glory to You. And as I continue to live out this life that I have in Your Son, may my life be a pleasing sacrifice to You, for I ask this in Your Son’s name. Amen.
Comentarios