Complete Perspective on Works

Scripture: 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

Observation: This verse comes immediately after one of Paul's most famous verses about faith vs. works. In verses 8-9, Paul is very, very clear ... we are saved by grace, not by works, lest anyone should boast. Using this verse, many people therefore promote their faith as the totality of their Christian life. However, Paul IMMEDIATELY then says ... we are in Jesus in order to do good work! In fact, even this has two additional parts to it.

First, God made us for the work. It was by the workmanship of God, creating us, and basing that design of us in our faith in Jesus, that shows the purpose of our work to be done. In other words, it is by both our design and the unique circumstances of our faith walk with Jesus that God has equipped us to do good work. Second, this intended work itself is designed by God. He has defined work to be done that suits our gifts, talents, and faith.

So it is true that Christians are saved by grace through faith ... our salvation itself is a free gift we cannot work to earn. However, our faith is reflected in our work ... the unique circumstances of our faith, which God has taken us through, along with the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us by that faith, make us unique in our ability and thus prepared to do specific work that God has prepared for us and wants us to do. It is by performing that work that we then fulfill our faith.

Application: I have faith. By my faith, I receive grace and thus eternal salvation. I could never earn that, as it is far to precious and I am far too flawed. Grace is the free gift bestowed by God through faith in Jesus. However, also by my faith, I am to do God's work. My faith manifests as a unique combination of gifts and abilities to serve God in a way he has prepared for me specifically.

My ongoing failure is that I am unclear about that work he has prepared. I serve in ministries, and I know my administrative gift helps in various outreach efforts. However, that is such a small amount of my time. The rest of the time, I struggle at work, fail to be his light in the workplace, and withdraw into depressing and mean-spirited thoughts in my spare time.

There is so much more I could do. I should continue to seek God's unique work, and lean into it whenever and wherever I find it.

Prayer: Lord, you are my joy and salvation, and I am blessed beyond measure to know that it is by my faith in Jesus that I am redeemed to you. More and more, may I put my faith into your good works. Amen.