Created for Good Works

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

There is much discussion about doing good works. Why do we do good works? Is it a means of getting blessings? Is it a way to make up for sin? Is it a way to get to heaven? Is it a way to earn salvation? There may be other reasons such as to see ourselves as a good person helping others. Or it may be that we feel guilty. Some may do good works for the needy in hopes that when they have a need someone will help them. Some do good works because it’s what’s required or expected. Others may do good works to correct the injustices and unfairness of life, even if it’s a preferred choice. Some may do good works because of empathy and care for others. There are even religious reasons why people do good works, like for obedience to the Scriptures, love for others or gratitude for the blessings they have received. There are a myriad of reasons for doing good works. But what does the Bible say.

Our Scripture today gives the answer of why we do good works. We were created to do good works. It’s like a fish was created to swim and a bird was created to fly. The Scripture is speaking about those who have been birthed spiritually by the Holy Spirit and have received the nature of God. It’s not speaking about people who are still in the kingdom of sin and darkness. They have their narcissistic reasons. That may seem harsh and judgmental, but think about it. They are motivated by the flesh and the world. And the flesh and the world are selfish.  They are not giving because it’s their nature to give.

The born again of God person has been translated from the kingdom of sin and darkness. “For He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son;” (Colossians 1:13) We have been born again a new and different person. “So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17) We have received of God His nature. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Peter 1:2-4) God is a Giver and His children, those reborn of Spirit, are givers. God gave His Son, Jesus. (John 3:16) And every good gift is from Him. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

To give of our time, our energy, our resources and ourselves is a God thing in our nature. But we cannot just do whatever we want with this character of God in us. God has created us to do good works “... which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” That means that from the beginning, God prepared us to do a particular good work or works. He has set up in advance a work or works for us to do. There is a certain pull in our hearts toward doing certain good work or certain good works. You will feel a pull toward a need. And the Lord has provided us with the gifts and talents needed for that particular work or works. Do you feel a pull toward a certain need; homelessness, the sick, children or families in need or the addicted? The Lord has equipped you with what you need to minister to them. He has given you the skills to help out in some way in that kind of ministry. The Lord loves people so much that He has provided helping hands through His children. What a God! What wisdom! What love! He is wonderful beyond our knowledge and understanding.

The last words of our Scripture are a commandment, “...ordained that we should walk in them.” In other words, that means that we should be occupied with it, which means fully engaged and busy working in it. If you are not occupied in a good work, step into it because it’s for what you were created. The Lord has given you what you need to do the work. I will give you an example. I am drawn to the downtrodden, the homeless and destitute. I am not in leadership in the ministry nor do I minister in preaching or worship, but I use whatever skills the Lord has given me to help in that ministry. I make the coffee. I smile and love on those people, showing them they are valued and made in the image of Christ. I help clean up. I organize the coffee supplies. I have other skills I could use, but these are what the Lord is requiring me to use at this moment in the ministry to which I’m drawn. You don’t have to wait until you have developed ministerial skills. Use what God has given you and God will use you to be a blessing.

All in all, God is wisdom. He has given us a way to be His hands, His feet and His love to those who need Him. He has created us to love and to help others in good works with the gifts, talents and skills to do His will.

Let us pray:

Father God, You are so good to me. You only want good for all people. Thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son and my Lord. Thank You Lord that You have provided help for those who need You. Thank You for providing the gifts, talents and skills we need to be Your hands, Your feet and Your love. Thank You Lord for giving me the desire to do good works. Help me to remember that I represent You and Your love for the needy. Help me to be a good representation of Your love for the needy. I ask for the strength to do all that You’ve called me to do. Help me to do it with excellence, knowing that I do it for You and not man. Lord, I ask that all that I do bring You glory. Only You are worthy of all praise, worship and glory. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.