Created In Christ Jesus

For Good Works

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air; the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Have you ever thought about God’s art museum? Sunrises, sunsets, oceans, clouds, lightning bolts, lambs, children, mountains high and low, and us? All are pieces of intricate craftsmanship created by our God. God is an artist. His creation is unspeakably magnificent. But it is not His greatest work! God’s greatest work is His redemption of us. When we were still dead in our sins, He made us alive in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Being God’s work of art, Paul said, should result in something from us. We are not supposed to sit silently in the museum of fellowship. Rather, we are to show God’s love in practical ways through our good works. Jesus said these good works glorify our heavenly Father.

God did not re-create us in His Son to be museum pieces. He redeemed us so that our good works would showcase the brilliant colors of His redemption and grace, and draw a world in darkness to the light of His love.

They witness best

who witness with their lives.

Our Daily Bread – July 10, 2009