Created for Good Works

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Did we do anything to earn or deserve eternal life? As born again Christians, did we perform some act that gave us the power to become a child of God? The simple, straightforward, answer is, "No." We are Christians because Jesus did the work of paying for our sins on the Cross, at Calvary. When we called upon Him, and accepted His gift of salvation, we went from being God's creation to being a new creature in Christ. You see, all that we are right now is by the grace of God. Any good that is in us is because of what Christ has done for us, on our behalf. The result of the Father's plan, and the Spirit's work in us. We are His masterpiece. All this He did with a "preapproved" plan for how we would live. Our life, as His masterpiece, is to be one of continually doing good works, as outlined for us in His Word. We are not to just perform a good work here or there, but we are to be mindful of every single opportunity to do good to, and for, others, on His behalf; not for our glory or to gain more favor (for all the favor we have, we have thru Jesus, and His righteousness), but to live a life of obedience to God, and glorify Him. You see, when we are kind, forgiving, loving, and helpful to others; when we share the Gospel, and minister to others, we are doing what was already planned for us, long before we were even conceived. So, if we have not already started, today would be a good day to begin putting our good works into action. We are to continue to do them until He takes us home or comes back to get us. Either way, we are to be steadfast in serving our God, our Savior, our Lord.