Observation: As Paul presents the conversation to the church in Ephesus on the difference between Jews and Gentiles - and that in Christ there is no longer a difference - he gives his famous statement that we are all saved by grace through faith, and not by works (verses 8-9). And this is very true! Moreover, this is a great comfort to all, because it removed all concern about what actions it requires to ensure salvation. Salvation by grace and not works changes everything, making it possible to retain salvation despite mistakes, and to have confidence in salvation through our own faith. This is a cornerstone of salvation through Jesus.
However, the very next verse is important, yet often forgotten. It is (or at least part of) the 'why'. The Lord offers us salvation through faith because ... we are his created beings, his workmanship that he loves, and we have a purpose in being created, which is to do good works. God wants us to do his good work, and first created us and now saves us in order to do so.
Application: There are several verses in the Bible that many people cling to for hope. They are good verses, and the word of the Lord certainly exists as a source of hope. However, they are often held onto out of context. It is a great comfort to know we are saved by grace, not works ... that our daily activities and resulting failures aren't the ultimate judge in our lives, because if they were we would all fail. That said, we overlook the very next instruction from God, which is that we are to do his good works.
And what are those good works? Well, sin is not one of them for sure. We should start with alignment to the Lord's precepts and laws, which I fail at daily. Second should be love of others, and perform activities that demonstrate that love and extend peace to all. Again, I fail at this daily, too. Lastly, there is the work of the church, which is to tell others the good news of Jesus and lead them to discover the same path toward salvation by faith. I may not fail at this, but I don't do it often enough or well enough.
I have been saved for works, and I am not doing them. I am very, very certain that could be said by most Christians, but I need to pay attention to this for myself. My daily works need to be the Lord's work, which he prepared in advance for me to do. That work includes compliance with his prescribed practices in life, and loving others ... in other words, loving the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, and loving my neighbors as myself.
If I started there, I would be going a long way toward feeling better about my salvation by grace.
Prayer: Lord, I have prayed over and over the last week with thanks for all the blessings you have given me. Now, I return to the place where I need to be doing your work, and I have so quickly failed. Please forgive my sins and my wayward thoughts. May I renew my focus on two key works, which are obeying your instructions out of my love and gratitude toward you, and loving others out of the overflow of your love for me. Amen.
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