Ephesians 2:8-10 - Created For Good Works

From thefirst verses in this chapter we have learned that sin works against us. Itcondemns us. It sends us into an eternity separated from God. “ But God” inverses 4-9, we find that God though works for us. He has provided for us agreat salvation through Jesus Christ. We have redemption and forgiveness ofsins, and God has exalted us to sit at the right hand of the Father along withJesus Christ. Oh, how blessed we are. God works for us.  Butnot only that, God works in us. That's what we're looking at in these verses.We first are told we're not saved by our works. We're saved by His grace (vv.8-9). Now, we sometimes then set works aside and forget that not only are wesaved to live for eternity with Jesus Christ, but we’re also saved to live forGod now on earth. So the next verse, verse 10, says, "For we are Hisworkmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God preparedbeforehand that we should walk in them." I wish we had time today todo a study in the New Testament on the phrase “good works”. Startingin Matthew 5:16 where Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men thatthey may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. Godraised us from the dead in Christ. Not so that we would continue to sleep andlive in our grave clothes, but to live a new life and live out the goodworks of God. It's not that we do so much for God. It's what God is able todo in us. But until we accept His work for us, we'll never know what it is forGod to work in us and through us to do His will for His glory. Oh, what ablessing when we begin to learn that lesson. It's God who works in you both towill and to do of His good pleasure. AfterLazarus was resurrected from the dead the people standing by were told to takeoff his grave clothes and set him free, let him go and be an example, atestimony. When people saw Lazarus later, it says they believed in Jesus (John12:1-11). My friend, that's what we want the lost world around us to do. Not forthem to see our good works and glorify us and give us a pat on the back, but toglorify our Father which is in heaven and believe in His Son Jesus Christ! Thesame resurrection power that saves us and took us out of the grave clothes willmake us and mold us and give us strength and wisdom and grace to live a lifedaily for the glory of God. Please take the time to meditate on Romans 6 and 8and learn about the resurrected life we have in Christ, and the Holy Spirit andHis work in us.  TheBible gives us many examples in the lives of people who experience God’s workingin them. As we let the Word of God live in us, as we begin to meditate on Histruth, and we begin to spend time with God in prayer daily we too can experienceHis awesome working in our lives. But is also means we will face suffering andit's through these means, the Word of God, through prayer, and throughsuffering that God begins to do that mighty work through us that He has “preparedbefore and ordained that we should walk in them”. Itis important to know that we could only “walk in them” when we'rewalking hand in hand with Jesus, abiding in Him, His word is abiding in us, andwe're walking in prayer (John 15:1-5).  Thenif we ask anything in prayer, He will answer those prayers and He will beglorified in our lives as we are one with Him and one with the Father. Rememberthat was Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17.  Wethen to begin to live a life where we are not doing what we want to do, butwhat He wants us to do. We're walking in His will day by day and enjoying allthe blessings of eternity right now on earth. It's a blessed life and that'swhy He gives us the Beatitudes to live by (Matthew 5:1-11). Remember theexamples in the Scriptures it was only after suffering like Moses, like Joseph,like David, and so many others in scripture, that it is when God exalted themand He used them for His glory in a wonderful and mighty way.