Created for Good Works

  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would […]

 
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10.
  Have you ever been told half a truth? When it happened to me, I felt that someone didn’t trust me to tell me everything I needed to know. I’m pretty sure other feelings came into play at that moment but not feeling trusted hurt more.
In Ephesians, Paul tells them the truth of what Jesus did for us and what He expects of us; however, I realize that in the religious world, verse 10 get neglected. Some religious leaders place more emphasis on verses 8 and 9, but verse 10 ties these two verse together. We were created, we were given new life by Jesus, and now we are new creatures charged to do something! We were not created to just sit around, wait until we mess up and know that God will forgive us. Jesus saved us to work, to do good works, the works that he has revealed to us.
When we read the New Testament we can find that the first disciples were always doing good works. Not to repay their salvation, not to earn their salvation, but to show that they were new creature. They did this to show this dark world that their little lights was powered by the Light of the world, and  that is Jesus. I encourage you to find areas to get involved, God created you for good works.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matt. 23:37 ESV)   Are you familiar with...

These Qualities

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly...

Welcome To Spring

I know, you’re ready for the pollen to go away. But isn’t it a beautiful time of year. Did you catch the equinox? It occurred on Monday, March 20. You can even check out the exact time. Four times every year we know the dates for the precise movement of the sun, or to...

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV) “For God” - The only God, all-powerful, all knowing, without beginning or end, Creator of all things. “So loved” - More than...

Wisteria

I find myself captivated by Wisteria every year at this time. Partly because it was Cathy’s favorite spring time flower. She really like the purple blooms. But we never planted any and neither does Jane have any interest in planting Wisteria. The opening words of an...

Got A Question?

Do you have a question you would love to ask Jesus? What would it be? He was certainly asked a lot of questions. Like the one Peter asked about the future of his fellow apostle, John. Jesus’ answer? “What is that to you? Be faithful to me.” He didn’t always give an...

After God’s Own Heart

David, King of Israel, was described as a man after God’s own heart. I can imagine other biblical characters who would fall under the same category. What about us? Can we come close to that kind of heart? How did David get there? From his childhood he had a deep and...

Groundhog Day

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was...

Provided

And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21 ESV) Those words spoken by Job need to be pondered by all of us. We came into this world with nothing...

Some Wisdom for the Day

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Prov. 29:2 ESV) One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Prov. 29:23 ESV) Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath....