Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) states: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” What are these good works?
Are good works only those found while teaching Bible classes, being missionaries, doing the work of an evangelist? Or do good works also consist of making sure our pets are well cared for? Does it include bringing gifts, food, or books to our homebound friends? What about checking on the elderly by phone or perhaps a personal visit, sending cards or notes to sick and shut-ins, helping folks move, etc.?
Maybe you are unable for one reason or another to do the above mentioned things. If so, I suspect you have your own list of things you’ve found you are able to do. God has made each of us with unique gifts, talents, and built-in desires. A friend and I share a thorough understanding of each other’s pleasure in creating computer-generated greeting cards; however when it comes to our enjoyment of times spent with people, she leans towards the college age where I would more likely be found cradling babies or hugging the elderly. Would each of these be considered the good works God wants from His workmanship?
Who better to answer our question than Jesus Himself? Look what He says in John3:20-21 (NASB): “Anyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Wow! “…that our deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God…”
So here we are, the opposite of evil, representing God on this earth through the good deeds He created us to do! What marvelous gifts He has given us when He created us to love and serve one another!
And we thought we were the ones doing the giving!
©Marilyn Sue Moore 3-5-09
Are good works only those found while teaching Bible classes, being missionaries, doing the work of an evangelist? Or do good works also consist of making sure our pets are well cared for? Does it include bringing gifts, food, or books to our homebound friends? What about checking on the elderly by phone or perhaps a personal visit, sending cards or notes to sick and shut-ins, helping folks move, etc.?
Maybe you are unable for one reason or another to do the above mentioned things. If so, I suspect you have your own list of things you’ve found you are able to do. God has made each of us with unique gifts, talents, and built-in desires. A friend and I share a thorough understanding of each other’s pleasure in creating computer-generated greeting cards; however when it comes to our enjoyment of times spent with people, she leans towards the college age where I would more likely be found cradling babies or hugging the elderly. Would each of these be considered the good works God wants from His workmanship?
Who better to answer our question than Jesus Himself? Look what He says in John3:20-21 (NASB): “Anyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Wow! “…that our deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God…”
So here we are, the opposite of evil, representing God on this earth through the good deeds He created us to do! What marvelous gifts He has given us when He created us to love and serve one another!
And we thought we were the ones doing the giving!
