“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Before you were born, is it possible that God knew you? Many scriptures say, “Yes!”. Is it possible that God had hopes and plans for your life? I believe this scripture teaches us that this also is true. According to the words above, God “prepared in advance” good works for you to do in your life. God sent Jesus into this world with a plan of salvation. Why can’t God also make a plan for your life? If you had to name the good works that God planned for you to do, could you name them? Have you discovered the unique good works God wished for you to accomplish in your life? Are you good at doing works of faith, or do you lag behind where God planned you to be?
Though in the two verses prior to the scripture for today (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Apostle Paul mentions clearly that God’s grace and your faith response are sufficient for salvation, today’s scripture adds to the picture. It clarifies that you were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The good works don’t determine if you will be saved, for God’s grace does that. Good works, however, help to show the world that Jesus is important to you. So crucial are good works, that God “prepared” a few “in advance for us to do”. You are not created to sit idly in a pew. God had and has special plans for your life, accomplishments for you to achieve, certain mission work for you to excel. How well have you come through for God and HIS plans for your life?
Twenty-five years ago, a young family visited our church. They lived up the road not far from the church. They were friendly, though reserved. Not long after visiting, they joined our church and became very active in several groups. The daughter was in Sunday School and youth programs. The parents were active in Bible Studies, Adult Classes, and other groups in the church. They were a wonderful family to have in any church.
Two years after they joined, the husband was laid off. They had a rough time financially. After more than six months, unemployment ran out. The man got a job making half of what he had before, just to make ends meet. The wife cleaned homes to supplement their income. You could see they were struggling in that their clothes were worn, their vehicle was often broken down, and they moved to an apartment that was rent-subsidized.
Throughout their difficult time, one couple in the church took them under their wing. They saw to it that the daughter had enough clothes for school, that the family knew how to get financial aid and support, and helped out where they could. Before Christmas that year, the couple planned to fulfill a few more needs for the family. They had done a lot of homework and knew five things the family needed desperately. They reached out to a few good souls in the church and each pitched in to help. On Christmas Eve, I delivered those five things all wrapped up as presents, enough food for a good Christmas meal, and a little extra money from a group in the church that had special funds for such situations. I also added a few things of my own to the gifts, including a new Study Bible for the father.
After Christmas, the woman who had put everything together came to visit me. She thanked me for my part and then said something wonderful to me. I remember her face just lit up when she said, “I know God wants me to take care of that family. I’m to watch over them. I’m to make sure they have the necessities to get by. I was born for this!” When she said the last sentence, she laughed out loud. However, what she said was not hilarious. We both laughed at her words, because they were so downright joyful! That family gave this woman a wonderful purpose to her faith. It lit her up inside and out. She was so overjoyed to help.
What good works make you want to smile and laugh out loud? What good works done in the name of God make your heart feel warm and your soul feel right? The scripture for today is a reminder that you were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” God will put you in situations where you will shine. In certain moments, you will see your mission ever so clearly. Just make sure you are aware when those moments, planned by God, occur. Don’t let them pass you by! You were born for them!
Though in the two verses prior to the scripture for today (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Apostle Paul mentions clearly that God’s grace and your faith response are sufficient for salvation, today’s scripture adds to the picture. It clarifies that you were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The good works don’t determine if you will be saved, for God’s grace does that. Good works, however, help to show the world that Jesus is important to you. So crucial are good works, that God “prepared” a few “in advance for us to do”. You are not created to sit idly in a pew. God had and has special plans for your life, accomplishments for you to achieve, certain mission work for you to excel. How well have you come through for God and HIS plans for your life?
Twenty-five years ago, a young family visited our church. They lived up the road not far from the church. They were friendly, though reserved. Not long after visiting, they joined our church and became very active in several groups. The daughter was in Sunday School and youth programs. The parents were active in Bible Studies, Adult Classes, and other groups in the church. They were a wonderful family to have in any church.
Two years after they joined, the husband was laid off. They had a rough time financially. After more than six months, unemployment ran out. The man got a job making half of what he had before, just to make ends meet. The wife cleaned homes to supplement their income. You could see they were struggling in that their clothes were worn, their vehicle was often broken down, and they moved to an apartment that was rent-subsidized.
Throughout their difficult time, one couple in the church took them under their wing. They saw to it that the daughter had enough clothes for school, that the family knew how to get financial aid and support, and helped out where they could. Before Christmas that year, the couple planned to fulfill a few more needs for the family. They had done a lot of homework and knew five things the family needed desperately. They reached out to a few good souls in the church and each pitched in to help. On Christmas Eve, I delivered those five things all wrapped up as presents, enough food for a good Christmas meal, and a little extra money from a group in the church that had special funds for such situations. I also added a few things of my own to the gifts, including a new Study Bible for the father.
After Christmas, the woman who had put everything together came to visit me. She thanked me for my part and then said something wonderful to me. I remember her face just lit up when she said, “I know God wants me to take care of that family. I’m to watch over them. I’m to make sure they have the necessities to get by. I was born for this!” When she said the last sentence, she laughed out loud. However, what she said was not hilarious. We both laughed at her words, because they were so downright joyful! That family gave this woman a wonderful purpose to her faith. It lit her up inside and out. She was so overjoyed to help.
What good works make you want to smile and laugh out loud? What good works done in the name of God make your heart feel warm and your soul feel right? The scripture for today is a reminder that you were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” God will put you in situations where you will shine. In certain moments, you will see your mission ever so clearly. Just make sure you are aware when those moments, planned by God, occur. Don’t let them pass you by! You were born for them!